PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The GWP survey team supports the RSPB’s wetland development projects and related corporate partnerships. We contribute technical expertise to establishing natural habitats for protecting wildlife and, in so doing, responding to the climate emergency.

We survey the existing landforms in sufficient detail to support the design of shallow scrapes and low-lying flooded hollows to encourage target bird species. Designs need to meet specific criteria; scrapes are typically less than 1m deep and their gently sloping edges provide damp margins which can be an invaluable food source for wader species.

CHALLENGE

Due to the ecological sensitivity of sites our survey approach is tailored to provide minimum disruption to the existing habitats. The resolution of the survey data must be sufficiently high to capture likely water flow routes across the site whilst allowing for the accurate design of shallow landform features. The existing water control infrastructure must be surveyed in detail to understand the water retention characteristics.

SOLUTION

Data is captured and analyzed to enable landform designs that generate the conditions necessary for the target bird species to thrive. Survey data presentation and 3D visualization provide the basis for planning applications, and stakeholder engagement.