Natural capital of the New Forest
What is natural capital?
Natural capital is the environmental assets which have a value to our society: the world’s stock of natural resources, which includes geology, soils, air, water and all living organisms.
These assets provide people with a wide range of goods and services which underpin our economy and society – known as ‘ecosystem services‘.
Ecosystem services may be:
- economic resources we use such as water, timber or natural food
- the role vegetation plays in removing pollutants from the atmosphere
- the contribution properly-managed habitat in the upper catchment of rivers makes to protecting urban areas downstream from flooding
- our income from local tourism
- the health benefits people gain from spending time in the fresh air.
Natural capital is used to describe parts of the natural environment (species, habitats, communities, landscapes, soils, water, air) that support the essential ecosystem such as: carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration
- carbon storage
- waterflow regulation
- soil erosion protection
- pollination
- important areas for biodiversity.
Natural Capital Assessment of the New Forest
The Natural Capital Assessment of the New Forest report is a vitally important environmental reference point for the region.
Managing natural capital – our rivers, soil and woodland – is key to ensuring the natural environment is protected.
We are working with a wide range of partners to quantify and thoroughly understand the area’s natural capital and its critical role in creating benefits to our communities, such as reducing flood risk, clean water, clean air, physical and mental wellbeing, alongside thriving wildlife.
The report quantifies the natural capital assets for the whole New Forest National Park area, also looking in depth at three key sites: Associated British Ports’ waterside landholdings; the Barker Mill Estate; and the Cadland Estate.
Natural Capital Assessment of the New Forest
Natural Capital Assessment of the New Forest
Nature is vital to our survival and holds many of the solutions to tackling the climate crisis. We’re committed to ensuring the National Park is ‘net zero with nature’ by 2050 and this report gives a better understanding of the role that the New Forest’s unique biodiversity, ecosystems, and water and marine resources currently play and their future potential as natural solutions for helping us tackle climate change.
New Forest National Park Authority Chief Executive Alison Barnes