Service 03

Habitats & Botany

Classification and mapping of what grows on your site, feeding directly into net gain calculations.

Typically required for

BNG assessments, hedgerow applications, sites with semi-natural habitat

Survey timing

April to October, when vegetation is identifiable

Project stage

Pre-application and application

What is it?

Habitat and botanical surveys characterise the vegetation communities on a site, using Phase 1 walkover methodology or National Vegetation Classification quadrat sampling where more detail is needed. Hedgerow surveys assess importance under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997.

When is it required?

Required as a baseline for Biodiversity Net Gain, for hedgerow removal applications, and wherever semi-natural grassland, heath or wetland is present and needs classifying properly.

What happens

  1. 01Habitat mapping across the full site boundary
  2. 02NVC quadrat sampling where detailed classification is needed
  3. 03Condition assessment against the statutory metric criteria
  4. 04Hedgerow importance assessment where relevant

What happens next

Habitat condition data feeds straight into the Biodiversity Net Gain calculation, so the two are usually commissioned together.

Related services

Often commissioned alongside this

Need habitats & botany for a project?

Send your site postcode and a short description of the scheme. We will tell you what is required and what it will take.