Brown could be the new green thanks to a pioneering biodiversity research project

An innovative study assessing the environmental importance of brownfield sites is being coordinated by National Highways’ Historical Railways Estate (HRE), contractor Balfour Beatty and Edinburgh Napier University.

The project partners are undertaking an extensive survey programme which could change the way brownfield sites are assessed in the future in terms of their unique biodiversity value and reconnecting fragmented habitats vital to plant and wildlife populations.

The work will include using innovative sound surveys and site DNA testing alongside more traditional techniques such as visual surveys and camera traps to get a detailed picture of biodiversity at five trial HRE sites.

A brownfield site refers to previously developed land, which is or was occupied by a permanent structure. A greenfield site refers to any land that hasn't been previously developed. This could be ancient woodland, grassland, or agricultural land.

HRE civil engineer Colin McNicol said:

“We’re committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment on the HRE and are delighted to be taking part in this groundbreaking study which will help us better understand the current biodiversity and manage our important brownfield sites in the future.

“It will be interesting to see how the study helps us adapt and enhance our work to repair and maintain our structures and land assets to help play a part in reducing the current global biodiversity crisis.”

Edinburgh Napier University Project Lead Jennifer Dodd added:

“We will use microphones to record sounds in the air and in the soil, often called passive acoustic monitoring, and link this information with the results from other assessment approaches, for example environmental DNA, camera trapping, and traditional visual survey techniques.

“By combining traditional methods with emerging technologies, this nationally important project will drive forward the development of innovative tools to accurately measure biodiversity, leading to evidence driven approaches for the recovery and conservation of our precious biodiversity.”

Studies in recent years have shown that the regular disturbance which typically happens at brownfield sites, such as earth movement during development and vegetation removal, could play an important part in increasing biodiversity as it can mimic natural ecosystem processes.

This could mean that brownfield sites are far more important than first thought in terms of supporting a wide range of wildlife and plants. They could also help to join fragmented habitats, creating nature highways for pollinators and animals.  

Robert Robertson, Balfour Beatty Project Manager said: “We are delighted to be working with National Highways and Edinburgh Napier University to deliver this impactful research project.

“The project provides us with an opportunity to reset and reframe how we think about and manage  biodiversity, ensuring that we’re leaving behind a lasting, positive environmental legacy in Scotland."

Five sites have been selected in Scotland for the 2-year study.  The sites chosen represent the variety of structures and locations, urban and rural, typical of the HRE and include:

• A mix of overbridges, tunnel and retained land in Greenock.
• A similar mix of features at a site in Glasgow
• An overbridge in Williamwood
• An overbridge spanning a former railway in Glencorse.
• A viaduct in Bonnyrigg

Following surveys on the ground guidelines will be produced outlining opportunities to appropriately enhance biodiversity at each of the sites as well as brownfield sites across the HRE and beyond.

Notes to Editors

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