14 - Tyne and Wear Lowlands : Natural Capital and Key Ecosystem Services

Introduction

The Tyne and Wear Lowlands NCA provides a wide range of benefits to society. Each is derived from the attributes and processes (both natural land cultural features) within the area. These benefits are known collectively as ‘ecosystem services’. The predominant services are summarized below. Further information on ecosystem services provided in the Tyne and Wear Lowlands NCA is contained in the ‘Analysis’ section of this website.

What is Natural Capital?

Natural capital means “the elements of nature that directly or indirectly produce value to people, including ecosystems, species, freshwater, land, minerals, the air and oceans, as well as natural processes and functions” (Natural Capital Committee, 2017).

It is helpful to consider natural capital in the form of a logic chain that represents the links between ecosystem assets, services, benefits and value to people. The figure below displays that logic chain. The quantity and quality of ecosystem assets (woodland, bogs, etc) support different types of ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration or water filtration. These ecosystem services then provide different benefits to society, providing value for people. The figure also shows how management interventions, as well as pressures and drivers of change, influence this chain. Other capital inputs are also often needed for people to obtain the benefits from ecosystem services (a simple example is the processing of trees to produce wood products).

As an example, an area of woodland (ecosystem asset) may reduce air pollution created by traffic on a nearby road. This woodland is therefore improving air quality (ecosystem service) in the local area which results in cleaner air and improved health in the adjacent residential street (benefit). This cleaner air has a value because we know it impacts the health and wellbeing of communities.

Sometimes for ease of understanding, economic framing is used to give these benefits a monetary value. The figure below shows how natural capital assets support the provision of ecosystem services, benefits and value. The roots of the tree show how aspects of asset quality are critical to the provision of ecosystem services. The roots also show that geodiversity underpins the ecosystem assets and therefore the ecosystem services and benefits they can provide. It is important to remember that this diagram, and natural capital frameworks more generally, are a simplification of how nature works in practice.

Natural Capital within this NCA

In 2018, Natural England published ‘Natural Capital Indicators: for defining and measuring change in natural capital’ (Lusardi et al., 2018). This report identified key properties of the natural environment vital for the long-term sustainability of benefits, which can act as indicators of change.

These indicators are designed to inform our understanding of the state of our natural assets. The indicators highlight the importance of our natural assets for delivering which ecosystem service and the benefits they provide for society. The indicators and datasets identified in Natural England’s Natural Capital Indicators Project provide the foundation for the Natural Capital Atlas Profiles.

Natural England’s Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. They have a wide variety of uses with more information in the How to Start Using Your Natural Capital Atlas.

The Natural Capital indicators are presented on the map below by broad asset theme, displaying the natural capital within the NCA.

It is noted that not all indicators listed within the Natural Capital Atlas Profiles are included within the map as data is not yet available to measure them. Refer to the “Indicator Gaps and Limitations” of the Natural Capital Atlas Profiles for further information.

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:
 

• 26: North East and Tees Valley Combined Authorities
• 27: North of Tyne

Provisioning services (food, fibre and water supply)

Food provision: As the NCA contains extensive urban areas, the total farmed area is low at only 32 per cent. The majority of agricultural land is Grade 3 except for small areas of Grade 2 soil along the flood plain of the River Wear. In 2009, arable and horticultural land accounted for 56 per cent of the farmed area, while livestock (sheep, pigs and cattle) was 19 per cent. The majority of farm holdings are small (50 ha) and only 21 per cent are over 100 ha. Commercial fishing occurs in Tyneside, the main species being cod, haddock, whiting, plaice, lemon sole and monkfish, and North Shields is the largest prawn port in England.

Water availability: The urban and industrial nature of the NCA means that there is high demand for water for domestic, industrial and agricultural use. Although there are no major aquifers underlying the NCA, the water reservoirs of the Border Moors and Forests and the North Pennines NCAs provide a potable source of water through a transfer system. Water is transported down from these reservoirs into the Tyne and Wear Lowlands NCA. For information regarding the current state of water availability within this NCA, refer to the Environment Agency (Abstraction Licensing Strategy).

Regulating services (water purification, air quality maintenance and climate regulation)

Climate regulation: The main soils have a mixture of medium or low carbon content, except for some limited heathland and wetland habitats. Improving/maintaining soil quality and structure will aid carbon storage in the soils as well as increase resilience to the effects of climate change. Covering 4,295 ha or 9 per cent of the NCA, woodland habitats provide carbon storage and there is the potential to increase this in appropriate locations.

Regulating soil erosion: The most common soil types are not prone to erosion but are easily compacted or capped in wet conditions, leading to reduced water infiltration and diffuse pollution due to surface water run-off. Where arable and livestock production occurs, by following good farming practices and adopting Environmental Stewardship, soil erosion may be reduced.

Regulating soil quality: As mentioned above, the most common soil types are prone to compaction or capping in wet conditions which can damage soil structure. Land management measures to increase organic matter, such as creating semi-natural habitats, will prevent damage to soils and increase carbon levels.

Regulating water quality: For information regarding the current state of water quality within this NCA, refer to the Environment Agency (Draft river basin management plan maps).

Regulating water flow: The headwaters of the rivers Tyne and Wear emerge in the North Pennines NCA. During heavy rainfall, rapid water flows over the moorland cause downstream flooding of the settlements through which the rivers flow. This mainly affects Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead on the River Tyne and Durham and Chester-le-Street on the River Wear. Urban drainage issues also occur in high-density residential and industrial areas where impermeable surfaces are responsible for rapid run-off and flash flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. The dense broadleaved woodland in the riversides helps to slow water flow and the potential to increase these assets should be explored.

Regional water transfers utilising reservoirs in the Border Moors and Forests and North Pennines NCAs provide a potable source of water for the conurbations of Tyneside and Wearside, but transfer of water between these NCAs can also help to control water flow during times of potential flooding.

In the long term, on the coast, the impacts of climate change may cause more tidal flooding and storm surges which are likely to exacerbate coastal squeeze and erosion.

Regulating coastal flooding and erosion: The small coastal area varies from sandy beaches backed by sea cliffs in Tynemouth, to the estuarine environment, quay walls and fragmented intertidal flats in North Tyneside. Hard rock headlands and foreshore outcrops occur between defended beach frontages. Erosion rates are relatively low but may increase with climate change.

The long, narrow Tyne estuary includes the busy port of Tyneside which supports an active fishing industry and is deep enough for the navigation of sea vessels. The Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) acknowledges the need to build greater width into existing defences which may have an impact upon coastal habitats causing increased coastal erosion, coastal squeeze, loss of intertidal habitats and geological features. SMPs covering North and South Tyneside recommend a policy of ‘hold the line’, with limited scope for ‘no active intervention’ and ‘managed realignment’. For information regarding current shoreline management within this NCA, refer to the Environment Agency (Shoreline management plans).

Cultural services (inspiration, education and wellbeing)

Sense of place/inspiration: A varied landscape, the urban areas of the NCA have a strong character and sense of place and the open, arable and mixed farmland is interrupted by shelterbelts or blocks of woodland and pastures for pony grazing. Largely urban in the north, the NCA has a very long settlement history and a strong industrial heritage to which the development of coal mining and other industries has contributed. Large settlements include Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead with the distinctive bridge crossings between them. The historic city of Durham has notable medieval ecclesiastical origins and is located on a distinctive high rock bluff above densely wooded, steep river banks which provided the inspiration for the famous artist J.M.W. Turner.

Due to the legacy of coal mining, the physical landform changed. Following restoration, former spoil heaps have become pastures, mixed/coniferous plantations or country parks, and amenity ponds and lakes have been created from former open cast mines. Built heritage includes 18th-century sandstone buildings and Victorian mining and industrial terraces of brick and slate. The large number of 18th- and 19th-century country houses set within parkland is partly due to industrial prosperity and starkly contrasts with the terraced housing found in mining villages.

An area popular with tourists, the Tynemouth coastline is scattered with caravan sites and there are recreation opportunities at Whitley Bay and South Shields. The coastline comprises rocky headlands, sea cliffs and foreshore outcrops with a few sandy beaches. The port of Tyneside is characterised by its fishing quay and as the busy terminus for sea ferries.

Sense of history: The NCA is one of the most distinctive areas in England for its extensive industrial and commercial history, coupled with landscape and heritage features, and is rich in evidence of the development of settlements and society from the Roman period and earlier.

A strong sense of history is apparent at the World Heritage Sites of Durham Castle and Cathedral and Hadrian’s Wall. There are influences from the Bronze Age and the Roman (including Hadrian’s Wall) and medieval periods, and evidence of ecclesiastical rule within the Palatinate of Durham with its preserved settlement patterns.

In Newcastle upon Tyne, the 19th- and early 20th- century Tyne bridges are examples of high quality engineering associated with the engineers and innovators of the era.

Development of the coal industry from its Roman and medieval origins to the 20th century transformed the settled landscape, evidence of which can be seen in the 19th-century pit-head villages, industrial infrastructure and urbanisation in the north of the NCA.

Along the coast are many conservation areas with built heritage and Grade II listed buildings, including the Fish Quay, North Pier and Lighthouse, Prior’s Haven, Tynemouth Priory and the Grand Hotel, Tynemouth.

Recreation: There are many opportunities for tourism and recreation. Four per cent of the NCA is publicly accessible (655 km of public rights of way and part of the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail) and a 23-km national cycle route runs from Newcastle to Whitley Bay on the coast. The 15 registered parks and gardens reflect the large number of 18th- and 19th-century country houses, often located close to large settlements. Post-industrial restoration has created accessible green spaces such as numerous Local Wildlife Sites, Local Nature Reserves, country parks (former spoil heaps) and amenity ponds and lakes (former open cast mines). Networks of new footpaths and cycle routes along old railways/wagonways provide links between town and country. Newcastle upon Tyne and Durham are important tourist attractions and the coast is popular with visitors for recreation.

Biodiversity: Internationally designated nature conservation sites cover less than 1 per cent of the NCA and SSSI cover only 200 ha, reflecting fragmentation of semi-natural habitats due to urban and industrial expansion. Although broadleaved, mixed wet woodland is sparse, it is the largest extent of semi-natural habitat. Other small areas of semi-natural habitats include the largest and most diverse lowland heathland in the north-east of England, Waldridge Fell SSSI, and intertidal habitats along the River Tyne and its estuary which supports wading birds and is a key migration route for salmon. Small areas of coastline in North Tyneside have several designations (Ramsar, SSSI and SPA).

Opportunities for creating, restoring and maintaining habitats include sustainable land management interventions, new woodland planting and the development of new, and enhancement of existing, green spaces in urban areas.

The urban conurbations have unique biodiversity interest. Some derelict industrial, railway and mining sites have been naturally colonised, often forming part of the Local Wildlife Site network and meeting priority habitat criteria for open mosaic habitats on previously developed land. Manmade structures provide nesting and breeding sites for kittiwake such as the Tyne Bridge and the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead.

Networks of urban gardens, parks, allotments and manmade structures provide resources for a number of pollinators and birds, including nesting and roosting by seabirds and urban associated priority species such as house sparrow and starling.

Geodiversity: There are research, education and interpretation opportunities in the NCA, including establishing geological links to the history and culture associated with industrial heritage such as the Tynemouth to Seaton Sluice geological SSSI, one of the best exposures of Coal Measures strata in Great Britain and, inland, the exposed geology of disused quarries. More recent geology includes the shaping of the landscape associated with the last ice age through the visible glacial tills along the coast, incised meander and gorges of the River Wear and the Denes.