Case Study: Great Crested Newts in Kent
The task: JFA Environmental Planning was commissioned to undertake four years of great crested newt post-mitigation monitoring for a site in the heart of Kent. Our team monitored the site between November 2017 and July 2021 then provided our client with a full report with fantastic results. The methods: Using the great crested newt suitability index, our team was able to undertake presence/likely absence monitoring surveys, using methods from the Great Crested Newt Conservation Handbook for bottle trapping, egg searches, torching and netting. The results: From the monitoring surveys we could see that while one of the ponds had become less suitable for great crested newts due to lack of vegetation management, the condition of the habitat post-enhancement was still substantially improved from the baseline conditions, which was exciting to see. Moreover, whereas the pond HSI score was originally ‘below average’ suitability in 2015, this increased to ‘excellent’ condition in 2020, before settling to ‘good’ suitability in 2021. The future: Our team was able to provide our client with substantial findings as well as opportunities and suggestions for future improvements to the site. The client is then able to use these suggestions to increase effectiveness and reduce their impact on the landscape, as well as to further improve connectivity to surrounding habitats and enhance the aesthetic aspects too. The conclusion: The conclusion of this four-year project was that the initially low population of great crested newts was enhanced as part of the mitigation for the new development, and the peak count of great crested newts recorded within the pond has increased post-development which was a brilliant result. As new developments will focus more and more on biodiversity net gain (BNG) in the coming years, we should expect to see more results like this as we strive to leave the natural environment in a better state than before. Need support with your upcoming project? Let’s discuss it together: enquiries@jfa.co.uk
1 Comment
19/1/2023 05:20:45
Is this Lizard Conservation coupled with other types of lizards also being developed?
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