Water and ecology services

Water and ecology services

We offer a depth of knowledge and understanding of ecological systems which enables us to collect the right information and then apply that to real management solutions. We help our clients to understand and interpret data and information and provide them with a practical and achievable route to solving their problems.

Our areas of speciality include:

• Habitat restoration and design
• Protected species surveys and mitigation
• Fisheries science and management
• Aquatic ecology
• Invasive plant management
• Ecological surveys and strategic studies
• Wetland ecology

Ecological survey

Our team is able to offer extensive knowledge and experience in a range of ecological surveys and strategic studies including:

• Development & planning applications (EcIA)
• Botanical surveys (NVC) in wetlands, heathland, woodland, grassland, and coastal habitats
• Site condition assessment for SSSIs
• Phase 1 and UK Habitat Classification habitat surveys
• River corridor and habitat surveys
• Topographic survey and mapping
• Soils survey
• Green infrastructure projects
• Strategic studies research and development
• BREEAM, Codes for Sustainable Homes and Home Quality Mark Assessments

Fisheries science and management

We offer a range of fisheries management services and advice aimed at assessing populations, improving habitats, angling access and to bring wider benefits for the biodiversity value of a waterbody. We are also skilled in the assessment, management and remediation of water quality issues.

Our technically robust fisheries monitoring programmes are available across the UK and Ireland for a range of freshwater and inter-tidal environments. We apply methods such as electric fishing, netting, tagging, trapping, and hydro-acoustics to create monitoring programmes which are specifically tailored to meet our clients’ objectives.

We are also experienced in dealing with environmental emergencies, such as hydrogen peroxide dosing to remediate and restore affected waterbodies, and can quickly respond to, assess and remediate impacts on fish and the aquatic environment.

Our team have a proven track record in designing and delivering habitat improvement projects in a range of situations, often at high profile, public sites.

Our services include:

• Fish population assessment
• Fishery management plans
• Fish health assessment and mortality investigations
• Predator management and biomanipulation
• Design, creation and restoration projects for lakes and rivers
• Feasibility studies and project management
• Topographic, bathymetric (depth) and silt surveys
• Aquatic plant and algae assessment and management
• Water quality monitoring
• Aeration solutions

Protected Species Surveys

Our team of licensed protected species ecologists work with a broad spectrum of clients including Government departments, local authorities, developers, architects and individual property owners to conserve rare species and enhance habitats whilst ensuring the efficient delivery of development projects in line with wildlife law by providing the following surveys:

• Bats
• Great crested newt
• Otter
• Water vole
• Badger
• Dormouse
• Red Squirrels
• White-clawed crayfish
• Reptiles and amphibians
• Birds

Habitat restoration and design

We have an extensive track record in delivering high quality habitat restoration projects in a range of aquatic and terrestrial environments for the benefit of wildlife and people. We provide ecological, topographical, hydrological and soil surveys to inform feasibility, conceptual and detailed designs based on our knowledge of habitats.

Our expertise extends to the following areas:

• Wetland habitats
• River restoration
• Lakes, ponds, canals and other stillwaters
• Terrestrial habitats