{"id":1207,"date":"2026-08-17T10:21:38","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T10:21:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/sustainabilityspace\/?p=1207"},"modified":"2026-08-17T10:21:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T10:21:44","slug":"spending-a-summer-surveying-habitats-on-campus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/sustainabilityspace\/2026\/08\/17\/spending-a-summer-surveying-habitats-on-campus\/","title":{"rendered":"Spending a summer surveying habitats on campus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Tom Lilly and Daisy Hughes, Biodiversity Survey Field Assistants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why do we monitor biodiversity?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Monitoring biodiversity is becoming increasingly important as organisations work to better understand and enhance their natural environment. As part of its Nature Positive Strategy<\/a>, the University of Exeter has committed to increasing the biodiversity value of its campuses by 20% by 2030 through improving its habitats for wildlife. Achieving this relies on consistent habitat monitoring and gathering reliable ecological data in order to provide the evidence needed to track biodiversity change over time and inform future management decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What the internship involved<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

During July and August 2026, we worked with the University\u2019s Sustainability Team in our roles as Biodiversity Survey Field Assistants. The 4-week internship focused on surveying ornamental and grassland habitats across Streatham, St Luke\u2019s and Penryn campuses, updating their habitat maps using the UK Habitat (UKHab) classification system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

I have recently completed my second year studying BSc Geography on Streatham campus. I applied for the role because I was keen to combine the plant identification skills I had developed through previous work experience with the GIS knowledge I\u2019ve gained during my degree. As someone interested in using geospatial technology to address environmental issues, I was excited by the opportunity to apply these skills to biodiversity and habitat monitoring.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Daisy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

I am finishing up an MSc in Conservation and Biodiversity based on Penryn campus. I\u2019m passionate about conservation and have spent most of my life volunteering in wildlife and public engagement. I\u2019d love to work as an ecologist in the future, so this internship felt like the perfect opportunity to build habitat surveying, GIS and botanical identification skills.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

What is UK Hab & Biodiversity Net Gain?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The UKHab system provides a consistent way of recording habitats across the UK, allowing ecologists to monitor biodiversity over time and compare sites using the same standards. Alongside habitat mapping, the internship also contributed to the University\u2019s Biodiversity Net Gain monitoring. This approach aims to leave habitats in a measurably better state than before, ensuring that development contributes to nature recovery rather than biodiversity loss. Therefore, our data allows the university to track changes in its habitat\u2019s condition over time and provides a baseline against which future improvements can be measured. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A typical day of work<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Most days started by collecting our survey kit, applying plenty of sunscreen and heading out across campus. Using our botanical knowledge and bag full of plant identification guides, we surveyed hundreds of ornamental and grassland habitats, identifying a wide range of shrubs, flowers and grasses. For each habitat, we assessed key characteristics, including species diversity, the presence of invasive species and ground cover, before recording habitat condition scores within the GIS application (Mergin Maps). It was a great opportunity to combine fieldwork, botanical skills and digital mapping technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Streatham Campus Map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
Penryn Campus Map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Interesting discoveries <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One of the best parts of the internship was stumbling across pockets of campus that were far more biodiverse than we expected. The grasslands around the Hatherly Labs were buzzing with life, with over 20 species recorded in some areas! Around the Laver Building, we found a surprising mix of uncommon species including Fascicularia Bicolor, Eucryphia Lucida and Banksia Intergrifolia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another highlight was seeing these habitats in use by the local wildlife, which included roe deer, green woodpeckers, song thrushes and red-tailed bumblebees. Watching these species feed and nest so close to where we live and study shows just how important wildlife-friendly management is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Challenges faced<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Surveying habitats across more than 120 hectares of campus kept us busy throughout the internship. Most days were very warm, with temperatures in the high-20s, which made identifying grasses that were dried out or recently mown particularly challenging. Applying the UKHab system also required a high level of attention to detail, as learning how to categorise habitats using both primary and secondary codes was complex. Even with these challenges, we were able to collect high-quality data across the university’s estates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skills developed<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Over the course of the internship, we developed a strong set of ecological surveying skills. Spending several weeks identifying shrubs, flowers and grasses and assessing their wildlife value significantly improved our botanical knowledge. Furthermore, using mobile GIS applications to record habitat data gave us hands-on experience with digital mapping tools; building confidence in collecting, managing and updating UKHab-classified maps in the field. We also became adept at applying a consistent survey methodology across a large site, ensuring that habitat condition scores and species information were recorded accurately. Along the way, we discovered new parts of the University\u2019s campus that we will definitely be revisiting in the future!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why this work matters<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The data we\u2019ve collected can now be used to assess the biodiversity value of the habitats on campus, and identify areas which can be made even better for wildlife. We\u2019ve both left with a greater understanding of the importance of habitat surveying, and feeling inspired about the ways even small pockets of habitat can support species. Thank you to the Sustainability Team for such a brilliant opportunity!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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