We explore another aspect of the debate over the off-road C2C busway that threatens to bisect Coton Orchard. Proponents say it's needed to protect #Madingley #SSSI, but common sense, CPPF and other experts argue a bus lane beside the existing Madingley Road would have minimal impact compared to fragmenting the century-old habitat of Coton #Orchard. This Sunday, after the Coton Orchard Bioblitz, we walked inside the Madingley SSSI with Professor David A. Coomes, Director of University of #Cambridge Conservation Research Institute & Professor of #Forest #Ecology and #Conservation. He shared insights on the historical and ecological overlap between the SSSI and Coton Orchard, both once part of a shared landscape. The pesticide-free orchard also harbours rare pockets of #biodiversity. Prof. Coomes stressed the need to connect these relatively small habitats to strengthen #ecosystems & resilience to #climate impacts, not further fragment them. Improved transport links can be achieved with a bus lane on the existing road without harming crucial habitats. #SaveCotonOrchard
2 июл 2024
