Terrestrial ecologists

Understanding, protecting, and enhancing terrestrial ecosystems.

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We help clients to protect terrestrial environments by adhering to regulatory and statutory legislation and guidance relating to the development of land, habitat restoration, or following an environmental incident.

Anyone looking to develop a piece of land through a planning application into new buildings, housing, or infrastructure such as railways, needs an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) and the various protected species surveys recommended in the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) completed to ensure they have minimal impact on nearby terrestrial ecology habitats and protected species.

We also provide Pollution Impact Assessments to help clients establish their impact on the terrestrial environment in the event of an incident.

Assessing the status of the ecology in terrestrial habitats is essential in understanding the response of ecological systems to various activities.

Features and outputs

Terrestrial ecology support with planning and development processes including Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA).
Ecologists holding protected species survey licences from Natural England.
An understanding of all terrestrial invasive species or ‘species of concern’.
Support with biodiversity net-gain in development.

Added value

In-house terrestrial ecologists all members of CIEEM.

Ecologists licensed by Natural England to conduct Protected Species Surveys.

Use of innovative survey techniques such as UK Hab mapping software to survey most effectively.

Legislation

Our ecologists are well versed in key legislation to ensure you remain compliant. Relevant legislation includes:

Our terrestrial ecologists assess a wide range of ecological indicators such as habitats, protected species, and invasive non-native plant species (INNPS). We provide an integrated approach, linking the terrestrial ecology to habitat availability.

Our services include:

Phase 1 Habitat/UK Habitat Surveys and Condition Assessments
Protected species surveys
Botanical Surveys (NVC) in wetlands, heathland, woodland, grassland, and coastal habitats
Site Condition Assessment for SSSIs
Topographic Survey and Mapping
Soils Survey
Green Infrastructure Projects
BREEAM, Codes for Sustainable Homes and Home Quality Mark Assessments
Biodiversity net gain assessments

The planning process

Our specialist terrestrial ecologists assess your sites through a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA). This ecological walk over of your site records habitats and the potential for habitats to support protected and notable species of wildlife and plants. Following this a report on the potential ecological impact of the planned development with recommendations is issued including information on any protected species surveys conducted. This is called an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA).

Protected species surveys

Provided by our team of licensed ecologists, the main species we are looking for in our protected species surveys include great crested newts, hazel dormice, bats, otters, water voles, reptiles, nesting birds, and badgers. Surveys take place throughout the calendar year and depend on certain factors, so commissioning appropriate surveys at an early stage of development can save you time and money.

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Hedgerow surveys

Hedgerows are protected under The Hedgerows Regulations 1997.

We survey a 30-metre section of hedgerow to identify the main species of ecological and archaeological importance.

National vegetation classification

This detailed floristic survey records species assemblages within different habitats, such as calcareous grassland, acid grassland, heathland, mires, rivers, ponds, and woodland.

Invasive species

The presence of non-native invasive plants, such as Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), have the potential to cause major impacts on the development of land through costly delay and remediation. They also impact on our native environment by outcompeting our native plant species. Their presence can have serious financial implications on the sale or development of land and property, and can cause a significant financial burden to projects and the environment if their presence is not identified at the earliest stages.

We deliver a professional service for the management of invasive plant species across the UK. We have managed invasive plant eradication and control projects for both the public and private sector, enabling the progression of our clients’ development projects and conservation objectives.

We have a skilled team of qualified consultants who can deal with any issue with nuisance plants. We use our expertise to identify the most appropriate and practical methods of plant control available, adopting the latest proven techniques in biological, mechanical, environmental, and chemical control, whilst meeting all current regulatory requirements.

Our services include:

Eradication and Control of Invasive Plants
Bespoke Eradication and Management Plans
Surveys for Invasive and Non-Native Species
Catchment Level Evaluation for Invasive Plant Species
GIS Density and Catchment Mapping
Environmental Due Diligence
Contaminated Land Management
Aquatic Habitat Management

Responding to environmental incidents

Following an environmental incident, we provide post incident surveys to monitor the impact to habitat for as long as required. We gather evidence on behalf of our clients to demonstrate they are taking the terrestrial ecology seriously.

We can also offer habitat restoration following an environmental incident.