Inverterbrate Surveys

Southern Ecological Solutions (SES) have a wealth of experienced ecologists that have conducted various Invertebrate surveys followed by successful mitigation schemes that meet its clients ecological obligations and commercial needs in a cost effective and pragmatic way.

Habitat and Ecology

Invertebrates are animals without backbones and incorporate a massive range of species that in the UK alone number over 30,000 terrestrial and freshwater species and 7,000 marine varieties and include such taxoms as insects, moths and worms. Invertebrates are absolutely critical to biodiversity with life for vertebrates being impossible without them; as they facilitate vital processes such as pollination and form vital links within eco-systems e.g. providing food for birds and mammals.

Some invertebrates such as the Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus) are becoming rare due to habitat degradation and fragmentation. Whilst other species have suffered due to their symbiotic relationships with other species that are in decline themselves.

Legal status and Protection

Due to their importance to bio-diversity and general decline invertebrates receive various levels of protection.

There are 69 species such as the Large blue butterfly (Maculinea arion) and the Southern Damselfly (Coenagrion) that receive protection via the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA) (as amended) as they are listed on Schedule 5 and therefore receive protection under Section 9. Please note that there are exceptions and some exemptions due to the large number of invertebrates listed on schedule 5 but generally it is a criminal offence to:

• intentionally kill or injure any of the species listed on schedule 5
• intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct the places these species use for shelter and protection.
• intentionally or recklessly disturb these animals when they are using such places.

The maximum fine per offence is £5000 the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW) amendment contains a provision for a custodial sentence of up to 6 months instead of, or in addition to, a fine. Along with a lengthy development delay until an appropriate mitigation programme has been agreed and completed.

Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (NERC) also lists 395 invertebrate species such as the Stag Beetle which are species of principle importance under Section 41 and Section 40 requires every public body in the exercising of its functions (in relation Section 41 species) ‘have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity’ ; therefore making the listed invertebrates a material consideration in the planning process and requiring a detailed ecological survey before planning permission can be granted. In addition, local authority planning departments should also meet the requirements of the Planning Policy Statement 9 (PPS9); which requires planners not only to protect biodiversity, but where possible to enhance it.

Certain Invertebrates are also recognised among the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) as a priority species of conservation concern. With 413 terrestrial invertebrate species listed; surveying for these species is essential to meet UK BAP targets and ensure any will have no net loss to biodiversity. UK Invertebrates are also listed on the Red Data Book Species (RDB); which contains species that are of international concern categorised by their danger of extinction in the short, medium and long term.

Surveys

A specialist SES ecologist would initially visit the potential development site and conduct a ‘scoping’ survey ( link to consultancy page) where potential invertebrate habitat would be identified and assessed. This would allow SES to target any further invertebrate survey to specific areas, which is very cost effective way of prioritising survey effort. If deemed necessary our specialists would choose the most appropriate survey technique; classic examples include quadrant searches and pitfall trapping with netting being an excellent method for aquatic invertebrates.

Mitigation

A Natural England licence would be required for any works that would contravene the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA) (as amended). SES has experience gaining these licences however they normally take 30 working days to process therefore pre-planning is essential to avoid any costly delays. We have designed and implemented numerous schemes that has enhanced both terrestrial and aquatic invertebrate habitat.