Konstantinos Tzoulas

Making biodiversity measures accessible to non-specialists: an innovative method for rapid assessment of urban biodiversity

Urban biodiversity studies provide important inputs to studying the interactions between human societies and ecological systems. However, existing urban biodiversity methods are time intensive and/or too complex for the purposes of rapid biodiversity assessment of large urban sites. In this paper the authors present a biodiversity assessment method that is innovative in its approach, is reliable, and from which the data generated can be presented in an understandable way to non-ecologists. This method is based on measuring the land cover of different vegetation structures and the diversity of vascular plants, and then combining these into an overall biodiversity score. The land cover of vegetation structures was recorded by using a checklist in combination with Tandy’s Isovist Technique and the Domin cover scale. Vascular plant diversity was recorded at genus level by walking along defined transects within circular sampling areas of sixty five meter radius and using a checklist. A scoring procedure assigns an overall biodiversity score to different combinations of land cover of vegetation structures and vascular plant diversity. This method was tested in three urban locations in the United Kingdom which differed according to size, design and land use. Descriptive statistics of the resulting biodiversity scores differentiated between the biodiversity distribution within each one of the three locations, as well as across them. The main strength of this rapid biodiversity assessment method is its simplicity. Furthermore, by producing accurate results this biodiversity assessment method can be most useful in rapidly identifying areas where more detailed ecological surveys are needed.

The Benefits and Challenges of Developing and Implementing an Environmental Management System Using a Participatory Approach: A Case Study of Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

Participatory approaches to developing and implementing environmental management in universities could be central in the successful integration of indirect aspects such as teaching and research. The aim of this research was to develop additional insights into the benefits and challenges associated with a participatory approach to environmental management. The objective was to undertake a case study of the participatory approach to environmental management followed by Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. The approach reported here comprised four stages: (a) an environmental review, (b) a stakeholder analysis, (c) participatory meetings and workshops, and (d) synthesis. The outcomes of this approach were a comprehensive management system covering twelve environmental aspects, including teaching and research; a management group chaired by a lead stakeholder for each aspect; a high level environmental strategy board; and university wide networks in facilitating collaboration in sustainability teaching and research. Benefits of increased capacity and reduced conflict were greater than the effort required for overcoming challenges such as securing commitment from and providing support to stakeholders. This chapter will be useful to universities planning to implement ISO 14001 and/or those that already have an environmental management system and are wishing to expand the scope to include teaching and research.

What are the European legal duties to conserve biodiversity in university campuses

Biodiversity is a key element of sustainable development in university campuses. However, integrating biodiversity in campuses requires strategic planning, beyond minimum compliance with protected species and habitats legislation. This leads to the questions: which university functions impact on biodiversity and what obligations are there under European environmental law for universities to consider biodiversity strategically? University functions and their consequent impacts were classified thematically into four and seven categories respectively. These categories were used to systematically search the Environmental Legislation Update Service and EUR-Lex for relevant legislation, which was also classified. Universities undertake capital projects, building alterations, grounds maintenance, and outdoor activities. These functions may cause loss, damage, disturbance, introductions, pollution to, and overuse of, biodiversity. Legislation applying to these impacts spans wildlife, plant health, planning, and pollution prevention disciplines. The interdisciplinary legal framework for biodiversity presents compliance and integration challenges, such as overlooking legislation or duplicating efforts. This article will help those involved in university management, teaching and research to identify and integrate in their work the relevant legal obligations on biodiversity.