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Home » Science and research » The natural capital benefits of shooting
Natural capital is the sum of the financial and social benefits we derive from our natural environment. It’s a concept which has increasingly shaped international and national environmental policies to date, and is at the core of the government’s England Environmental Improvement Plan and the forthcoming equivalent in Scotland.Â
Understanding that UK shooting is diverse and provides recreation for many people across the country, BASC wanted to determine the other benefits that come from its influence on the environment, and how policy-makers, landowners and farmers can use those benefits in the land-management choices they make.
Read our summary of the natural capital value of each of these four elements below. You can also read the report in full at the bottom of this page.
The carbon sequestration benefits of shooting’s management of land and species across woodland, wetland and saltmarsh has never been assessed and valued before.Â
The capture, removal and storage of atmospheric carbon is critical to mitigating the impacts of climate change. The report valued shooting’s habitat creation and management work, alongside deer and grey squirrel management, at £382 million.
The largest benefit in monetary terms is the recreational value generated by those who shoot or support shooting, such as beaters and pickers-up. This comes in at £571.7 million from over three million days of activity spread across rural parts of the UK.
Additionally, the public benefit from an enhanced recreational experience from accessing more diverse and rich habitats as a result of shooting, is valued at £35.9 million.
You can read the report in its entirety, including a full breakdown of the four key benefit areas, in the The natural capital benefits of shooting report below. The report is also available to download here.
Find out how you can make the most of woodland areas to enhance your shoot, create wildlife habitat and bring environmental benefits.
Released gamebird numbers decline throughout the season, making end-of-season shooting more unpredictable.
Find information and guidance on all aspects of habitat management and conservation relevant to shooting.