Blogs

The British Standard for Biodiversity BS42020 was published in 2013 and the Ecosulis quality system meets the requirements of the standard; however, it is only just starting to filter into planning applications and is becoming increasing recognised as a standard to adhere to. The standard was written for Ecological Consultants, Local Planning Authority ecologists, and anyone else in the ecology profession, to provide a national standard of working. The standard has been written to be used throughout the UK, independent of legislation and policy.

To provide an update on the current and emerging trends in biodiversity the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) has assessed 24 different indicators. This aims to provide a clear way to identify and address problems facing biodiversity in the UK. These indicators have been based on a total of fifty measures and the full report can be found here.

Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List of Birds

Ecosulis where tasked with the removal of 70 large conifer trees as part of a housing development in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. The project would involve two men on the ground with chainsaws, an excavator with tree shears and a Dutch Dragon Chipper. The trees would be dismantled using the tree shears and the timber chipped to be used as mulch at a later date.

Alan is a world leader in the measurement of biodiversity, creator of a computer program which can estimate biodiversity quality in a range of taxa, researcher in a number of fields and CIEEM Chartered Ecologist. Alan works with Ecosulis as a scientific advisor and non-executive director, as well as a Senior Research Fellow of the Faculty of Engineering at Bristol University. Previously he was the course Director of the Bristol University MSc. Water and Environmental Management.

Pre-submission Screening Service (PSS) for Wildlife Licensing

Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) has been used as a valuable tool since the publication of initial guidance in 2006. Now, ten years on, an update to this guidance has been published by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).

After the wettest winter on record and widespread flooding across the UK, Alastair Driver (the National Biodiversity Manager of the Environment Agency) took to twitter to highlight the efforts into Natural Flood Management research across the UK. Some of the facts tweeted include -

It’s no secret bats are known, by some, as pests ‘invading’ homes and terrifying families. Blood sucking, ugly, diseased creatures often found in grave yards or swarming around haunted houses. Searching the internet, it is astounding the number of ‘pest’ control companies talking in this way about bats. In all fairness as an ecologist who surveys bats on a regular basis and completely intrigued by their behaviour, my opinion is a completely bias one.