Uploaded on 2016-03-30 by EttoreMurabito

## Provisioning services## **FOOD** Manchester hosts a large number of healthy and sustainable food initiatives and there is significant drive across the sector to do more. An example is provided by the many community food growing gardens. Growing and consuming local food is an area of increasing interest, to the point that it was identified as one of the 8 ‘priority’ Ecosystem Services (ESS) that drive the city’s policy towards its strategic objectives. ![Hulme Community Garden Centre][1] *Figure 1* - Hulme Community Garden Centre (photo by the Hulme Community Garden Centre). At the present, however, the scale of these initiatives is limited and their collective ability to address health and sustainability concerns are currently insufficient to meet the health, economic and environmental challenges ahead. ##Regulating services## **POLLINATION** Insects and wind pollinate plants and trees which is essential for the development of fruits, vegetables and seeds. Animal pollination is an ecosystem service mainly provided by insects but also by some birds and bats. The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside has established “Plan Bee”, a project aimed to ensure a rich diversity of insects, particularly bees. Plan Bee is also working with Knowsley, St Helens and West Lancashire councils to survey areas and encourage planting of wildflowers, in particular as increasing food resources has become a major focus. ![Plan Bee][2] *Figure 2* - Plan Bee (photo by the BBC). ##Habitat or Supporting services## **BIODIVERSITY** In Greater Manchester there exists a network of semi-natural habitats, that are least modified by human influence. These areas, covering about 12% of the area of Greater Manchester, support either upland habitats (moors, bogs and grassland) or lowland broad leaved woodland. The Biodiversity Action Plan for Greater Manchester has identified these areas as priority habitats for conservation and, as such, has designated them as the ‘essential’ elements of the Ecological Framework. The management of these areas focuses on: - nature conservation, land-use designations, protection from inappropriate development; - creation of buffer zones around designated sites; - creation of linkages between valuable habitat areas. ![Chorlton Water Park][3] *Figure 3* - Chorlton Water Park (photo by John Delaney). ##Cultural services## **RECREATION AND MENTAL / PHYSICAL HEALTH** Manchester has invested a considerable amount of money in the last few years to renovate some green urban areas, making them more accessible to people for cultural and recreational activities. An example is provided by the restoration of Alexandra Park. The city council invested £5 million to restore this community asset. The funding, provided by different partners and stakeholders, has paid for improvements to the park landscape, buildings and sporting facilities. Such improvements include: - **Buildings** Restoration of a victorian building (the Chorlton Lodge) to provide a usable community space and office space. The “Pavillon” has been also restored and extended to provide a larger, flexible community space and a community cafe. - **Sports facilities** There are now four new tennis courts which provide a mixture of community use, club use and coached sessions. A new cricket field and an artificial pitch has been built on the southern oval in front of the pavilion. - **Landscaping** Additional tree were planted along the fence line as well as large flower beds running alongside the paths. Footpaths have been replaced or repaired where necessary. Street furniture such as benches and bins have been replaced. The drainage across the park has been improved. The drinking fountain and the flagstaff has been restored to their original design. ![Alexandra Park][4] *Figure 4* - Alexandra Park (photo by Mark Waugh). [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14593405822088091.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14593406797137252.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14593407221776148.png [4]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14593409866797073.jpg