Enhancing Biodiversity Across Welsh Hospital Estates Using GIS Technology

Mott MacDonald undertook a large-scale biodiversity assessment and enhancement project across 14 hospital sites for Powys Teaching Health Board and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board in Wales. The project aimed to comply with the statutory biodiversity responsibilities under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 by surveying habitats, assessing biodiversity health, and recommending improvements. Using ArcGIS, the team created base maps with pre-classified habitat types to streamline fieldwork. Ecologists surveyed the sites using mobile applications, collecting species data, habitat improvement opportunities, and photographic evidence. These data informed the production of 28 high-quality visual biodiversity plans and a dynamic web map for ongoing monitoring and management.