Building Biodiversity Case Studies

As part of our work on the BBS Hub we plan to promote and share case studies where ecological enhancements have take place both locally around the Solent and more widely. We have produced a template to capture case study information. An example case study is shown below from the MARINEFF project:

• Download the case study template

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Case Studies

Local

• MudFlats™️ is a vertically stacking intertidal soft sediment habitat system
• Installation of Vertipools at Forton FCERM
• River Hamble pile cap replacement to provide nesting sites for Oystercatchers
• MARine INFrastructure EFFects (MARINEFF)
• North Portsea Island Phase 3 (Tipner)
• 3D Pare Newsletter - Printing and deployment of artificial reefs

• The recent repairs to the concrete sea wall at the River Hamble Harbour Master's Office have included some novel biodiversity enhancement features. An eco form liner was used to create a textured a surface, and the wall contains water retaining holes and ledges in the intertidal zone.  These will be monitored by Bournemouth University as part of a wider PhD. An adjacent length of the wall will be repaired in the next 2 or 3 years and the aim is to create the same features, and to reinstate the Vertipools currently in situ on that section.

National/International

• Ecostructure are looking at ways to facilitate the growth of marine species on concrete coastal structures like seawalls and breakwaters to benefit coastal communities and ecosystems.
• The Engineering with Nature (EWN) Atlas, Volume 2, showcases EWN principles and practices in action through illustrations and descriptions of 62 projects from around the world.
• Seattle's Seawall Protecting The City's Waterfront While Protecting Fish
• Oyster reefs as carbon sources and sinks
• Artificial reef 3D printing for Atlantic area
• Shelving the Coast With Vertipools: Retrofitting Artificial Rock Pools on Coastal Structures as Mitigation for Coastal Squeeze
• Estuary Edges
• Sydney Living Sea Walls
• Fish Below Your Feet and Other Solutions for a Living Harbor

Best Pratice and Ideas

• Wildflower meadows have transformed a previously derelict section of land around Kendall's Wharf as part of the North Portsea Island Coastal Defence Scheme. Around 2,000m2 section of seeds were planted alongside the construction of a newly raised coastal footpath, which was delivered as part of Phase 4 of the Scheme.
• Coastal Partners removed a timber revetment at West Beach, Hayling Island and visitors collected the recycled timber for garden features and bench making.
• Coastal Partners have installed 'Tide Pools' as part of a FCERM scheme which are made of a concrete that has a reduced pH so they help create new habitats for different marine life. It is hoped that the pools will attract biodiversity such as periwinkles, anemones, crabs, and fish.
• At Portsea Island coastal defence scheme wall sections included ecoformliner (a textured mould giving the concrete a shape, which provides shelter and retains moisture) has been used to promote ecological growth.
• The University of Portsmouth has joined forces with The Seahorse Trust and national boating business, boatfolk, as part of a re-wilding project which aims to create a safe habitat for one of the UK’s native seahorse species, the protected Short Snouted Seahorse, along with other juvenile and vulnerable marine wildlife. University researchers worked with partners to install the first Biohut cage system at Haslar Marina in Portsmouth. 

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Case Study Example

Project Title: MARine INFrastructure EFFects (MARINEFF)

Project Objectives: The Marineff project’s main aim is to improve biodiversity and habitat provision on artificial coastal infrastructure by trialling concrete-based eco-engineering solutions.

Lead organisation and partners: Lead – ESITC Caen, France.

Other partners: University of Caen (FR), Ports Normandy Association (FR), National Museum of Natural History (FR), TPC (FR), Vinci Construction (FR), Bournemouth University (UK), University of Southampton (UK), University of Exeter (UK).

Is the project part of a development scheme? If yes, please specify: No.

Project Drivers (e.g. is the project being used for mitigation or environmental net gain): To mitigate against habitat loss in the event of land reclamation and sea level rise, leading to the phenomenon referred to as ‘coastal squeeze’.

Funding source(s): INTERREG, European Regional Development Fund.

Did you use any guidance documents to help develop the proposals? If yes, please specify: N/a

Geographical Location: Oyster prism modules, Solent wide, Artificial rockpools, Isle of Wight. Grid ref SZ 36507 89863

Consents and Licences: Permission was obtained from Isle of Wight council for the artificial rock pools. MMO licence for subtidal oyster prisms is progressing.

Coastal Environment where Project Located: Oyster prism modules – subtidal high energy, Artificial rockpools – sheltered intertidal on open coast

Project Timescale: Spring 2020 is planned installation for artificial rockpools and oyster prisms. Monitoring surveys for artificial rockpools to continue quarterly thereafter for one year, then biannually until project close April 2022. Project planning began in summer 2018.

Successes and Lessons:

Successes: Obtaining permission for installing such a large number of artificial rockpools (n = 50) which is the largest installation of its kind to date in the UK (possibly Europe). The evidence from this will be key in having similar designs fully accepted by developers and engineers and subsequently incorporated into future development.

Lessons: Interdisciplinary is key for working in the urban environment.

Monitoring: See project timescale for timings, it will involve quadrats and taking measurements of rockpool environment such as salinity, temperature etc. Data will be held by Bournemouth University. Oyster prisms will be monitored by dive surveys to assess colonisation, in particular for the native oyster Ostrea edulis. Data will be held by the University of Southampton.

Maintenance and Operational Guidance: This will be developed at the end of the project.

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