Trailing a bioacoustics approach for the evaluation of nature-based solutions for climate and biodiversity recovery using remote sensing technology

This study will be conducted on a local site that is part of a National pilot scheme delivered by Natural England’s Nature Returns Programme. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) has partnered with Hasfield Court Estate to restore and create 108ha of wetland, floodplain grazing marsh, woodland pasture, traditional woodland and species-rich grassland. The Severn Solutions for Nature’s Recovery (SSNR) project aims to quantify and provide a baseline for carbon sequestration and GHG emission rates across priority habitats.
Monitoring of carbon flux is being undertaken by Natural England across the six pilot studies; monitoring of biodiversity is yet to be established, thus providing a unique opportunity for the integration of passive acoustic monitoring approach that we are currently trialling across Hartpury Farm to this project. Monitoring carbon flux alongside biodiversity, climate resilience, and other natural capital gains will provide quantifiable metrics for private sector finance options, such as credits for the newly operational Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) or Green Finance.