Maximising Biodiversity Net Gain with MGISS and UK Hab

UK Habitat Classification v2 is an updated version of the original UK Habitat Classification system. Developed to provide a detailed and standardised method for classifying and mapping habitats, UK Hab v2 builds upon its predecessor by incorporating new insights, improved definitions, and a more user-friendly structure. The system is designed to be comprehensive, covering a wide range of terrestrial, freshwater, and coastal habitats found throughout the UK.

Key Features:

1. Hierarchical Structure

The classification system is hierarchical, meaning habitats are categorised at different levels of detail.

• Level 1 are simply terrestrial, freshwater and marine
• Level 2 are ecosystem types
• Level 3 are broad habitats, based on Biodiversity Broad Habitats of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan
• Level 4 inclused Primary Habitats identified through UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
• Level 5 includes Annex 1 Habitats (Annex 1 of the EU Habitats Directive, 1982). This allows users to classify habitats at a broad level or drill down into more specific subcategories, depending on the requirements of their survey or project.

2. Standardised Codes and Names

Each habitat type in UKHab v2 is assigned a unique code and standardised name. This ensures consistency in habitat identification and reporting across different projects and regions.

3. Compatibility with Other Systems

UKHab v2 is designed to be compatible with other habitat classification systems used in Europe and globally, facilitating cross-border ecological studies and reporting.

You can register here for UK Hab v2:

https://ukhab.org/register/download-id/35813/

What is Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)?

Biodiversity Net Gain is a principle that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was before development. This involves assessing the baseline biodiversity value of a site, implementing measures to enhance it, and ensuring that these enhancements result in a net positive impact on biodiversity, typically quantified as a percentage increase (e.g., 10%).

The Role of UK Habitat Classification in Biodiversity Net Gain

1. Accurate Baseline Assessment

• Detailed Habitat Mapping: UK Hab surveys provide a robust framework for detailed habitat mapping, which is crucial for establishing an accurate baseline of existing biodiversity. High accuracy GNSS and smooth data capture workflows in the hands of professional ecologists can ensure that baseline surveys are accurate and thorough. 
• Standardised Data Collection: By using standardised codes and descriptions, UK Hab facilitates consistent data collection, which is particularly effective when employing form-centric GIS data capture apps like ESRI Field Maps or Survey123. This standardisation simplifies the comparison of baseline conditions across different sites and over time, ensuring that data is uniform and comparable. 

2. Identifying Opportunities for Enhancement

• Habitat Quality Assessment: UK Hab surveys includes detailed descriptions of habitat types, including characteristic species and ecological functions. This information helps in assessing the quality of existing habitats and identifying opportunities for enhancement. 
• Targeted Interventions: By understanding the specific characteristics and needs of different habitat types, conservationists and land managers can design targeted interventions to improve habitat quality and diversity, contributing to the overall net gain. 

3. Monitoring and Reporting

• Consistent Monitoring: The standardised framework of UK Hab v2 allows for consistent monitoring of habitats over time. This is essential for tracking the progress of biodiversity enhancement measures and ensuring that they are effective. 

• Transparent Reporting: Detailed and standardised habitat data facilitate transparent reporting of biodiversity net gain outcomes, providing stakeholders with clear evidence of progress toward the 10% target. 

4. Supporting Strategic Planning

• Informed Decision-Making: If habitat data from UK Hab surveys  supports informed decision-making in land-use planning and development. Planners can use this data to avoid or mitigate negative impacts on biodiversity and to identify areas where enhancements can be most effective. 
• Policy Development: UK Hab data underpin the development of policies and strategies aimed at achieving biodiversity net gain, ensuring that these policies are based on robust scientific evidence. 

The Role of GNSS with UK Hab Surveys

High Accuracy GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is crucial for UK Habitat Classification surveys because it ensures precise and reliable location data, which is just as fundamentally important for accurate habitat mapping and monitoring as correct habitat classification. Introducing high precision location and smart field data capture at the point of capture during ecological surveys will ensure that all future BNG assessments and calculations are based off of accurate habitat datasets.

By leveraging high accuracy GNSS, field data capture apps and the latest UK Hab classification, professional ecologists can create accurate baseline assessments, effective planning and implementation of enhancement measures, and consistent monitoring and reporting for BNG. Ultimately, it will then enable stakeholders to make informed decisions, engage in meaningful collaborations, and contribute to a sustainable and biodiverse future.

MGISS offer a UKHab v2 GIS data capture solution which includes Invasive Species templates and provides back-end reporting, allowing habitat areas to be tracked accurately and measured in real-time.

If you want to find out more about how MGISS can advise your monitoring and reporting for BNG, with UK Hab Classification v2, fill out this form:

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