South Downs Research Conference explores life after Brexit

South Downs Research Conference explores life after Brexit

July 12, 2017

“Good research is the antidote to fear and scaremongering.” With his introduction Trevor Beattie, Chief Executive for the South Downs National Park Authority, set the tone for a day of evidence at the fourth annual South Downs Research Conference, sponsored by Coast to Capital, on 6 July 2017.

Professor Brett Day from the University of Exeter, the first of two key note speakers, explained how he is using an economic approach to measure the value of environmental goods and services to a community. By measuring people’s ‘Willingness to Pay’ he argued, you can design policies which protect things we value – such as being able to take a walk by a river or appreciate a peaceful wood.

In the second keynote Dr Ruth Feber from University of Oxford, showed what different scales of research – from looking at one field, to one farm, to a group of farms linked together in a landscape – reveal about biodiversity. This can make the difference between showing that one tree in a hedgerow improves moth numbers and proving that moth numbers increase by 38% when individual hedgerow tree link together to form ‘stepping stones’ across an area of farmland.

A lively panel discussion on the future of farming for the environment after Brexit – when the current system of agri-environment funding will end – was a highlight of the day. Nigel James, Countryside and Policy Manager for the National Park, argued that a farmed landscape is one of the qualities that makes the South Downs special. Professor Day highlighted that farming is not just about producing food, it also underpins the culture of local communities but that, as farming is the only industry in the country still receiving money from tax payers, the challenge will be to demonstrate the many other things that farming contributes to people’s wellbeing.

Other research highlighted during the day included how people with impaired vision experience the National Park, whether land use can help predict bat numbers, and newly discovered bronze-age barrows in the Rother Valley.

Jonathan Sharrock, Chief Executive of Coast to Capital LEP, said: “we were delighted to sponsor such a key event for our region which brings together high quality stakeholders across many disciplines to challenge and further our understanding of the rural economy and its identity. The rural economy is highly productive and contributes significant employment opportunities, making the region an attractive place to live, work, and visit. As a LEP we were excited to promote this conference which contributes to science, innovation and environmental improvement”.

The South Downs Research Conference, sponsored by Coast to Capital, is designed to bring together researchers, students, practitioners and academics to showcase research across all disciplines in pursuit of the special qualities of the South Downs National Park.