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Ecological mitigation measures in English Environmental Impact Assessment
Katherine Drayson1, Stewart Thompson
1Spatial Ecology and Landuse Unit, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford OX3 0BP, United Kingdom. katherine.drayson@brookes.ac.uk
Journal of Environmental Management
|March 12, 2013
Summary
Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs) in the UK show poor detail and ineffective habitat creation for mitigating biodiversity loss from built development. Improvements are needed in EcIA guidance and training for consultants and authorities.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Built development is a primary driver of biodiversity loss in the UK.
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), are standard for major developments.
- Addressing flaws in EcIA mitigation is crucial for meeting biodiversity targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the information and detail of ecological mitigation measures in English EcIAs.
- To assess the implementation and effectiveness of habitat creation and management measures in completed developments.
- To identify areas for improvement in EcIA practice to reduce biodiversity loss.
Main Methods:
- A broad-scale review of 112 English EcIAs conducted from 2000 onwards.
- Fine-scale audits of seven EIA development case study sites.
- Assessment of grassland and marginal habitat creation and management using standard National Vegetation Classification (NVC) methodology.
Main Results:
- EcIA mitigation proposal information and detail have shown little improvement since 1997.
- Habitat mitigation measures studied demonstrated poor effectiveness.
- Implementation of mitigation measures in completed developments was higher than anticipated.
Conclusions:
- EcIA mitigation measures require significant improvement in detail and effectiveness.
- Targeted training for ecological consultants and Competent Authorities is recommended.
- Enhanced EcIA practices are necessary to effectively reduce biodiversity loss from development.
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