The conversation between BBC\u2019s Countryfile co-presenter, Tom Heap, and Sophus, was based around the usage of the Government’s Biodiversity Metric for a housing development project near the Knepp nature reserve, West Sussex.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This project has provoked controversy, because the developers are claiming that their plans, whilst following the Governments Biodiversity Metric, will see a 20% increase in Biodiversity. However, the West Sussex Wildlife Trust has claimed that this development will cut off the Wildlife Corridor between Knepp and other surrounding nature reserves- which is not considered within the Governments Biodiversity Metric algorithm.<\/p>\n In relation to the issues mentioned by the West Sussex Wildlife Trust, Sophus has commented, during the episode of BBC\u2019s Countryfile, \u201cWhen we are thinking about recovering England\u2019s nature, one of the things many ecologists think about is creating bigger, better, more joined up and connected areas of nature\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhen it comes to the big-picture ecology of the site, the big-picture of how the whole ecosystem works, that is not really considered in the metric\u201d<\/p>\n Tom Heap later responded by asking the question, \u201cThe Government are saying the metric isn\u2019t the only thing that matters, other things will be taken into account- so what\u2019s the problem?\u201d<\/p>\n Sophus responded by warning, \u201cIf that is the case, then that would be a really good thing. But we really need to make sure that the metric doesn\u2019t become the be all and end all\u201d.<\/p>\n Despite the comments from the West Sussex Wildlife Trust<\/a> and the warning from Sophus, the developers of the housing project have responded to these claims by stating that they will create a 5 kilometre long \u2018Green Bridge\u2019, with 4.2 kilometres of new hedgerows, whilst protecting the ancient woodlands.<\/p>\n Needless to say, this story looks like a hot topic and worth keeping an eye on\u2026 To catch the full episode of Countryfile on BBC iPlayer click HERE<\/a> . Sophus\u2019 talk with Tom Heap starts 14 minutes and 20 seconds into the episode.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/sac-news-events\/files\/2021\/08\/Sophus-and-Tim-looking-at-the-developement-.png\")
![\"Sophus](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/sac-news-events\/files\/2021\/08\/Sophus-on-BBC.png\")