Page 12 - ALG Issue 4 2022

Ecosystem Services and Allotments
Ecosystem Services provided by allotments
• Physical Ecosystem Service
• Soil erosion prevention
• Increased soil fertility
• Enhanced/increased
biodiversity
• Carbon capture
• Local green space
• Decomposition and
nutrient cycling
• Pollination
You might also hear Ecosystem Services called “Nature’s Services” or “Natural Capital” – the latter is a particular favourite with central government at present.
Humans, animals and plants cannot survive without Ecosystem Services. They are vital to all of us for survival.
Keeping up to date with emerging policies from local and central government can help allotment societies to promote, protect
and preserve their Allotment
Sites. Knowing about the current ‘buzzwords’ or ‘policy-speak’ coming out of central and local government means we can speak the same language as ministers, councillors, and council officers. Using this language and knowing what it means shows that we allotmenteers are up to date with what is considered important by those in power.
Of course, it can also be said that policy buzzwords are just the same things being regurgitated over and over again, just in different ways. However, this is often just how policy plays out in real life. Yet if we do keep up to date with policies, we are in a better position
to effectively promote our precious sites, or apply for funding for site improvements, or get more plots to meet demand.
And it is true that we allotmenteers are seeing things come to the forefront of policy which we have actually known about all along. For instance, we all probably know of someone whose doctor has suggested they take up allotment gardening to improve their health through exercise, fresh air,
and social interaction – today this is
a policy called ‘Social Prescribing’. So, at last, some of the many benefits of allotments are part of government and council policy.
A new phrase buzzing around is ‘Ecosystem Services’. So, I hear you ask: What’s that all about? Well, Ecosystem Services are things which keep good old planet earth alive and well. We are talking about very basic things here
like providing food, managing nutrient cycles (e.g., water, nitrogen, carbon) and a safe habitat for wildlife. These
are all provided by the ecosystems around us. Central government is now very keen to see evidence of ecosystem services and the way they are promoted and protected in local areas. Hence, we can expect local councils to become increasingly interested in good examples of Ecosystem Services: an excellent example being your allotment site on their doorstep.
This is all happening because Ecosystem Services are part of the UK’s commitment to sustainability under international agreements. Thinking about the planet in terms of Ecosystem Services is not new; it is actually a well- tested science. With climate change, governments around the world are having to re-think what is important.
Ecosystem Services are actually a BIG part of what we plotholders are already working with and doing on allotment sites. In fact, allotments are a very good example of local Ecosystem Services in action! So next time you talk with your council officer, councillor, or a funder, do tell them about your allotment
site being an exemplar of Ecosystem Services in your local area.
We can expect local councils to become increasingly interested in good examples of Ecosystem Services: an excellent example being your allotment site on their doorstep.
Dr Deborah Burn, Research and Development Officer
Leading Supplier of
Jam Jars & Lids
Jam Making Equipment Pressure Canning Jars & Supplies
www.lovejars.co.uk
12 Allotment and Leisure Gardener