Ecology
Ecological expertise from early site appraisal to mitigation, enhancement and long-term management.
Discover Us
FPCR is an industry leader in ecological consultancy, offering specialist ecological support across the UK.
The practice provides a complete ecological service covering a range of disciplines from desk-based development scoping / constraints surveys and planning application support through to the implementation of complex species or habitat specific mitigation schemes.
Negotiation with statutory and non-statutory nature conservation organisations is an area of particular expertise.
Our ecology team includes members of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and hold an array of survey licences and specialist qualifications.
Our services include Ecological Impact Assessments, Protected Species Surveys, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessments, and Habitat Management Plans.
Supporting ecology with in-house drone capability
FPCR’s in-house drone capability supports ecological projects from baseline assessment through to long-term habitat monitoring.
Operated by trained ecological specialists, our drones are used for habitat monitoring and condition monitoring, biodiversity net gain (BNG) assessments, thermal bat surveys, ground-nesting bird checks, orthomosaic mapping, and the safe inspection of buildings, trees and other inaccessible features.
Using high-resolution RBG and thermal imaging, drone surveys can provide a faster, safer, and more efficient way to collect accurate site data, while also supporting landscape, arboricultural, and construction projects where appropriate.
Our pilots currently hold A2 Certificates of Competency and are in the final stages of obtaining the General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC).
Ecology Services
Habitat Surveys
Invasive Plants Surveys
An invasive plant species is a plant that is not native to a specific location
Invasive Plants Surveys
An invasive plant species is a plant that is not native to a specific location, an introduced species, which has a tendency to spread and can cause damage to the environment, including in some cases buildings, roads and other structures. They can also outcompete indigenous flora sometimes reducing biodiversity.
Invasive Plants Surveys
An invasive plant species is a plant that is not native to a specific location
Lower Plants (Bryophytes and Lichens)
Bryophyte is a collective term for mosses, liverworts and hornworts. These are small green plants which do not produce flowers seeds or fruits, so are referred to as ‘cryptogams’ (flowerless plants).
Phase 1 and 2
Extended Phase 1 Habitats surveys can aid in assessing the importance of habitats
Phase 1 and 2
Extended Phase 1 Habitats surveys (often called scoping surveys) can aid in assessing the importance of habitats and are useful for identifying whether a species-specific survey is needed. A broad scope is vital to take-in all basic components which may be affected by a proposed development.
Species Surveys
Badger
Badgers (Meles meles) are common and widespread throughout the UK and are found in both urban and rural environments
Badger
Badgers (Meles meles) are common and widespread throughout the UK and are found in both urban and rural environments. As a result of many years of persecution, badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and under Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) in England, Scotland and Wales.
Dormouse
The hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) is an arboreal species.
Dormouse
The hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) is an arboreal species. Though often associated with hazel coppice, it is not restricted to this habitat; also turning up in woodlands, scrub and well established hedgerows in southern England and south and mid-Wales and, rarely, further afield.
Reptiles
Within Britain there are six species of native terrestrial reptile. Common lizard, grass snake, slow worm and adder are generally widespread
Reptiles
Within Britain there are six species of native terrestrial reptile. Common lizard, grass snake, slow worm and adder are generally widespread whilst smooth snake and sand lizard, which have more restricted distributions, are rare. All common reptile species are partially protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
Bats
Bats are versatile mammals which use a wide range of buildings, structures and trees for their rest and shelter, sites known as ‘roosts’.
Bats
Bats are versatile mammals which use a wide range of buildings, structures and trees for their rest and shelter, sites known as ‘roosts’. Bats also use a wide range of habitats for feeding (‘foraging’) and movement between foraging areas and for social purposes. All 17 native species of British bats and their roosts are legally protected.
Great Crested Newts
Great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) (GCN) are one of the UK’s most striking amphibian species
Great Crested Newts
Great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) (GCN) are one of the UK’s most striking amphibian species and although they require a pond to breed in they can be found in a range of terrestrial habitats throughout much of the year including grassland, woodland, farmland, brown-field sites and quarries.
Water Vole
Water vole (Arvicola amphibius) is the largest British species of vole found in Britain.
Water Vole
Water vole (Arvicola amphibius) is the largest British species of vole found in Britain. They are protected in the UK due to their rapidly declining population which is threatening their widespread survival due to the loss and fragmentation of suitable habitats and predation by the American Mink (Neovison vison). Water vole are legally protected in the UK under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
Birds
Over 250 bird species breed in the UK and as a result they can be found nesting in a variety of habitats
Birds
Over 250 bird species breed in the UK and as a result they can be found nesting in a variety of habitats. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) is the principal legislation which protects all UK wild birds, their nests and eggs.
Otter
The European otter (Lutra lutra) is one of the largest predators found in Britain
Otter
The European otter (Lutra lutra) is one of the largest predators found in Britain. It can live in freshwater or coastal habitats. Otters are European protected species, protected in England and Wales under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
White-Clawed Crayfish
The white-clawed crayfish (Austopotamobious pallipes) is Britain’s only native crayfish.
White-Clawed Crayfish
The white-clawed crayfish (Austopotamobious pallipes) is Britain’s only native crayfish. Crayfish can be found in brooks, streams, rivers, reservoirs and quarries. The white-clawed crayfish has seen a rapid decline over the last few decades as a result of the introduction of non-native crayfish and disease.
Other Technical & Specialist Surveys
Biodiversity Net Gain
Biodiversity Net Gain is an approach to development that leaves biodiversity in a better state than before.
Biodiversity Net Gain
Biodiversity Net Gain 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 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.
BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes
BREEAM and the former Code for Sustainable Homes are credit based rating systems implemented on building projects to help achieve sustainable developments.
BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes
BREEAM and the former Code for Sustainable Homes (now only applied to historical projects) are credit based rating systems implemented on building projects to help achieve sustainable developments. Land use and Ecology is just one of a several aspects of the built environment covered by the systems.
Public Inquiry and Expert Witness
FPCR have provided expert witness advice over many years for a wide range of development projects
Public Inquiry and Expert Witness
FPCR have provided expert witness advice over many years for a wide range of development projects from residential development, to employment and distribution parks to surface mining sites and windfarms at planning appeal and Local Plan inquiries.
Biodiversity Unit Banking
Enhancing biodiversity is soon to be a new condition of planning policy with the publication of secondary legislation expected by the end of 2023
Biodiversity Unit Banking
Following the Environment Act gaining Royal Assent on 9th November 2021, measurably enhancing biodiversity is soon to be a new condition of planning policy with the publication of secondary legislation expected by the end of 2023. This will provide a potential new income stream for landowners, who can receive long-term, assured income for enhancing the biodiversity value of land, in addition to that derived from sensitive farming.
Ecological Clerk of Works
FPCR is proud to provide a range of Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) services.
Ecological Clerk of Works
FPCR is proud to provide a range of Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) services. The main aim of an ECoW is to ensure that clients remain compliant with legislation and planning conditions imposed by planning authorities and licensing bodies such as Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Aerial Tree Climbing Assessments
Britain has 17 resident species of bat, of which at least 14 are known to roost in trees.
Aerial Tree Climbing Assessments
Britain has 17 resident species of bat, of which at least 14 are known to roost in trees. We have a team of 13 arborists and ecologists including licenced bat workers able to undertake aerial tree assessments and advise our clients on how best to manage these transient roost sites.
Habitats Regulations Assessment
Under the UK Habitats Regulations, where there is potential for development to impact on a Natura 2000 site
Habitats Regulations Assessment
Under the UK Habitats Regulations, where there is potential for development to impact on a Natura 2000 site (Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA), or Ramsar site) a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) may be required.
