Biodiversity Net Gain – GreenLink Ecology

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach to development that leaves biodiversity in a better state than before. Where a development has an impact on biodiversity it encourages developers to provide an increase (i.e. net gain) in appropriate natural habitat and ecological features over and above that being affected in such a way it is hoped that the current loss of biodiversity through development will be halted and ecological networks can be restored.

GreenLink Ecology Ltd has gained substantial experience of this relatively new scheme and using suitably qualified ecologists, who are full members of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), can complete the Defra Metric 4.0 calculations.

A Biodiversity Net Gain BNG Assessment compares baseline conditions to post-development plans. Biodiversity Net Gain is achieved if the post-development plans provide a net improvement to the biodiversity of a site.

The following steps are used to calculate biodiversity net gain or loss:

A field survey is undertaken to collect pre-development habitat data.
Post-development habitat data is defined using the landscaping plans.
Pre-development habitat data and post-development habitat data is converted into ‘biodiversity units’ using a biodiversity metric. Additional biodiversity units may be added to post-development data using offsite compensation or biodiversity credits.
The Biodiversity Net Gain or Loss is calculated using the difference between the pre-development and post development habitat data. It is often presented as a percentage.