Using UKHab for Biodiversity Net Gain

Aimed at consultant and local authority ecologists with experience of habitat survey, this course will introduce environmental practitioners to the interface between DEFRA’s Statutory Biodiversity Metric and UKHab. The course makes specific reference to the Metric User Guide and UK Good Practice Guidance, including CIEEM-CIRIA-IEMA Good Practice Principles for BNG, British Standard BS8683:2021 and the CIEEM BNG Report Templates. The course focuses on the application of BNG in relation to development and land use planning in terrestrial habitats. Practical experience of UKHab surveys and the use of the BNG Metric is not strictly required, but would be beneficial. The course focusses upon the design of baseline habitat surveys and data collection for BNG and discusses feasibility and design of development projects that have made a commitment to biodiversity net gain. There is a short homework exercise introduced at the end of the first session which is discussed on Day 2. This will take 1-2hrs (depending on your level of experience with the Metric and UKHab). Although not essential, delegates will benefit if they have some experience of basic mapping skills in GIS or using Google Earth polygon mapping tools.

Developers, industrial operators and land managers, local authority ecologists and planners, conservation officers and licensing staff within SNCOs or NGOs, students, graduates, ecological consultants, environmental managers, wardens, rangers.

Intermediate - Advanced

• Gain knowledge of the structure of UKHab and it's resources.
• Learn how to identify and map habitats using UKHab from digital data and in the field.
• Understand the importance of the survey planning and design.
• Understand approaches to defining habitat condition and how this relates to habitat classification.
• Interpret UKHab data and how it relates to the Statutory Biodiversity Metric (2024)
• Understand limitations and constraints of BNG and how to report them.
• Understand how to prepare a UKHab and BNG Report for planning applications.
• Explore the use of UKHab for monitoring delivery of BNG.