The UK Habitat Classification is a new, unified and comprehensive approach to classifying habitats, designed to provide a simple and robust approach to survey and monitoring for the 21st century and is quickly overtaking the traditional Phase 1 habitat classification and methodology that has been widely used throughout Britain for a diverse range of purposes.
The new classification, which covers terrestrial and freshwater habitats, is flexible enough for use in a wide range of survey types from walkover surveys of small urban sites to regional and national scale rural habitat mapping.
UK Hab surveys comprise a walkover survey of the site to map habitats and structures on the site, this is often combined with other assessments and scoping surveys such as preliminary bat roost appraisal and habitat suitability index for great crested newt to assess habitats suitability to support notable or protected species forming a preliminary ecological appraisal.
The report produced will contain a UK Hab map, highlight any ecological constraints and features of ecological value identified during the walkover survey, and detail any requirements for further surveys (usually for protected species) in order to inform the design of your development and minimise the impact on biodiversity.
UK Habitat Classification surveys can include optional condition assessments and forms the basis for Biodiversity Net Gain calculations using the DEFRA Biodiversity Metric 3.1.
UK Hab surveys can be conducted all year round but are best conducted during the growing season of April to September.
Throughout the whole process you will get the personal service of dealing directly with local experienced ecologist Andrew Tillson-Willis to ensure that your project runs as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
Contact us today to discuss your habitat survey needs
We can help with all of your ecological survey requirements get in touch for your free quotation
- UK Habitat Classification (UK Hab) survey.
- Preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA).
- Phase 1 habitat survey.
- Extended phase 1 habitat survey.
- Ecological walkover surveys.
- Ecological scoping surveys.
- Ecological site audits.
- Ecological impact assessment.
- Habitats regulations assessment (HRA) stage one screening.
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).
- DEFRA Biodiversity Metric 3.1.
