Project Overview
EMEC supported the biodiversity and sustainability ambitions of the University of Nottingham by undertaking a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and Baseline Biodiversity Impact Assessment (BIA) for the university’s Jubilee Campus.
The 65-acre campus is a modern academic site developed on former industrial land and designed with strong environmental and sustainability principles, including lakes, landscaped green spaces, and wildlife-focused planting.
The assessment established a comprehensive baseline understanding of habitats, ecological features, and biodiversity value across the campus, enabling the university to better manage its grounds and plan future development while protecting and enhancing biodiversity. The work also supports the university’s ambition to become a Nature Positive institution, embedding biodiversity considerations across campus operations and development planning.
The Challenge
Despite its transformation into a green and sustainable campus, Jubilee Campus required a robust ecological baseline to inform future planning and land management decisions.
The university needed to:
- Understand the range and condition of habitats and ecological features present across the campus.
- Identify protected or notable species and habitats that may require management or protection.
- Quantify the baseline biodiversity value of the site using recognised metrics.
- Provide evidence to support sustainable campus management and future development planning, particularly as biodiversity considerations become increasingly embedded in planning policy.
Urban campuses present unique ecological challenges. Landscapes often combine engineered infrastructure, landscaped grounds, and semi-natural habitats, which require detailed ecological assessment to understand their biodiversity potential and management needs.
The Solution
EMEC undertook a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal and Baseline Biodiversity Impact Assessment across Jubilee Campus to provide the university with a clear ecological evidence base.
The work included:
Desk-based ecological research
A review of existing biological records and environmental data helped identify protected species and designated sites within the surrounding area.
Habitat survey and mapping
Detailed field surveys were carried out to classify habitats across the campus and assess their ecological condition. Habitat types included grassland, scrub, waterbodies, trees, and planted landscaping.
Tree and habitat assessments
Survey work evaluated the ecological value of individual trees and groups of trees, assessing characteristics such as maturity, canopy structure, and features that provide ecological niches for wildlife. Some habitats and tree groups contributed measurable biodiversity value to the campus baseline.
Biodiversity metric calculation
Habitat data was used to calculate the baseline biodiversity units for the campus, providing a quantitative benchmark against which future improvements or changes can be measured.
Ecological recommendations
The appraisal highlighted opportunities for habitat enhancement, species protection, and long-term biodiversity management aligned with the university’s sustainability objectives.
The Outcome
The project delivered a comprehensive ecological baseline for Jubilee Campus, enabling the University of Nottingham to better understand and manage biodiversity across its estate.
Key outcomes included:
- A clear inventory of habitats and ecological features across the campus.
- Quantification of the site’s baseline biodiversity value, creating a benchmark for monitoring improvements.
- Identification of habitats with ecological significance and potential for enhancement.
- Evidence to inform future development, landscape management, and biodiversity initiatives.
The findings support the university’s ongoing commitment to creating a campus environment where people, learning, and nature coexist, reinforcing Jubilee Campus as a leading example of sustainable urban regeneration and ecological design.
By establishing a robust ecological baseline, EMEC has helped the university ensure that future projects can protect and enhance biodiversity while maintaining the campus’s award-winning green spaces and habitats.
