Reptiles play a crucial role in ecosystems, acting as both predators and prey. As some of the oldest living species on the planet, reptiles have been a key player in the world’s ecosystems for millions of years!
Why Are Reptiles Important?
Reptiles are much more than just cold-blooded creatures; they are key players in maintaining ecosystem stability. Acting as both highly efficient pest controllers and a vital food source for other wildlife, they help prevent ecological imbalance and even support human health.
Good Indicators of Environmental Health
Some animals and plants act as indicators of environmental health, meaning that scientists monitor them because their populations and behaviour reveal how healthy a habitat actually is. Reptiles are a key example, as changes in their activity and numbers can signal shifts in environmental conditions.
Because reptiles are ectothermic, they depend on external heat sources to warm themselves up and move around. As temperatures rise due to climate change, they spend more time seeking shade and less time being active, which can limit their ability to hunt and feed.
As a result, a thriving reptile population is often a strong indicator of a healthy environment.
Reptiles Stop the Spread of Disease
Another critical role reptiles play in maintaining and protecting life on earth is their involvement in helping to limit the spread of diseases.
Most reptiles are carnivores, feeding on insects and rodents that are known to carry harmful diseases. Without reptiles regularly snacking on these creatures, humans would be far more at risk of catching harmful and deadly diseases.
Reptiles Keep Places Clean
Another important role of reptile existence is that they help keep the environment free of unsightly and unhealthy carcasses. Their approach to hunting is generally quite lazy, as many reptiles hunt by poisoning or injuring their prey and then wait for them to die, rather than putting in any real effort.
This means any dead animal makes a snack for reptiles, taking the pressure off us to clean up unsightly remains that expose us to potentially disease-causing pathogens.
They Help Keep Populations Under Control
Alongside keeping diseases down, they play a vital role in controlling population numbers across ecosystems.
They keep both plants and animals under control, which keeps certain species in the ecosystem from taking over and causing havoc.
When species populations grow out of control, it isn’t a good thing. By keeping these numbers in check, reptiles can help maintain a stable, healthy ecosystem where biodiversity can thrive.
Why Reptiles Matter in Medicine
Reptiles are often seen as dangerous due to their venomous and toxic nature, but not many people know they are vitally important for the development of modern-day medicines.
The study of snakes and reptiles has helped develop medicines used to treat and manage:
- High blood pressure
- Heart failure
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Pulmonary embolisms
- Diagnosis of cancers
Given how vital reptiles are to ecosystem health, it’s important to also understand how human activity and land development can impact their habitats. When building or construction is planned in areas where reptiles may be present, there are legal and environmental responsibilities to address before any work begins.
One of the key steps in this process is carrying out a reptile survey. These surveys help identify whether species, such as snakes or lizards, are present on a site, ensuring that any project meets the legal requirements while also protecting local wildlife.
What is a Reptile Survey?
A reptile survey is a type of development survey that will assess the proposed development site and confirm whether there are reptiles present. The survey will also determine whether steps need to be taken to protect the reptile habitats and populations. The results of the survey will then be published in planning applications taken to local authorities, and approvals may be impacted by the findings.
Why Are Reptile Surveys Important?
Reptile surveys are important because they can help identify populations of reptiles in and around the proposed development site and help developers put the necessary protections in place.
With just six species of reptile in the UK, they must be protected. Reptiles in the UK are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to deliberately kill or injure them. Some species receive additional protection under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, making it also illegal to disturb them or damage their breeding sites and resting places.
Why Do I Need One?
This survey can be vital for informing decisions about planning permission for specific types of development projects. If the development is likely to take place in a reptile habitat, or evidence of reptile habitation has been uncovered in initial ecological surveys, then a reptile survey can provide further information to the local authorities that will decide whether the development can go ahead.
When Do I Need One?
If your development project is taking place in an area where reptiles may be present, then you’ll need a reptile survey to confirm their presence and provide the necessary mitigations.
The best time to carry out a reptile survey is when reptiles are at their most active, which is between March and October in the UK. April, May and September are the peak times for carrying out a reptile survey as they tend to be more visible at this time while they make the most of the sun.
You should factor this time into your development project timeline to ensure you’re not left waiting to carry out your survey.
How Greenlight Can Help
With the right knowledge and advice from Greenlight, we can carry out reptile surveys to ensure your development meets legal and environmental requirements.
We also provide other ecology, arboriculture and landscape surveys to help aid planning applications, while protecting the environment. Get in touch today to discuss your next project.
