6 days ago
New nature network to protect Glasgow's bees and butterflies
The Clyde Grasslands initiative will connect wildlife habitats across the Glasgow City Region (GCR), aiming to support pollinating insects vital to ecosystems and agriculture.
This initiative forms part of the broader GCR Green Network and aims to address declining pollinator populations by restoring and connecting wildlife habitats across urban and rural areas.
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Pollinators like bees and butterflies are vital for healthy ecosystems and agriculture, with pollination services estimated to be worth £630 million a year to UK farming.
However, they are increasingly threatened by habitat fragmentation, land-use change, and the effects of climate change.
Rory McLeod, development officer for the GCR Green Network, said: "Restoring habitat networks for pollinators and other invertebrates through increased connectivity protects species and allows them to move freely throughout Glasgow City Region, adapting to environmental change.
"Building resilient networks of species-rich grasslands is key to the Scottish Government's vision of creating nature networks across Scotland.
"Pollinators play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and anything we can do to help them benefits us all."
In 2024, the GCR Green Network commissioned SAC Consulting's Food and Footprint team to examine the main barriers facing pollinators.
Their research found that urban infrastructure, dense woodlands, and poorly managed grasslands all restrict pollinator movement and reduce biodiversity.
To tackle these challenges, SAC Consulting combined spatial data with biological records to map current grassland habitats.
Using network analysis, the team developed an innovative framework that identifies key sites for protection and areas where habitat connectivity can be strengthened.
This mapping process also enables collaboration with the eight councils within the 330,000-hectare Glasgow City Region.
Mr McLeod said: "SAC Consulting were able to integrate key skills in pollinator and plant ecology, with spatial modelling expertise.
"Their knowledge of existing spatial datasets, alongside network modelling, allowed them to develop an innovative framework to identify and model species-rich grassland networks.
"The outputs from this study will underpin the identification of regional nature networks and their subsequent delivery for many years to come."
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The project is being supported by key conservation organisations including Plantlife, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, and Butterfly Conservation, whose combined expertise is helping shape the design and implementation of the Clyde Grasslands network.
The initiative will support not only pollinators, but also broader ecosystem services - such as improved biodiversity, soil health, and climate resilience - which benefit both people and nature.
As part of Scotland's national push to develop nature networks, the Clyde Grasslands project represents a significant step toward delivering the Scottish Government's vision of a more resilient and nature-rich landscape.
For more information about the project, visit the SAC Consulting website.
