The Statutory Biodiversity Metric and Statutory biodiversity metric tools and guides

Detalles

The (regulatory) biodiversity metric is the way to measure the value of biodiversity for the purposes of biodiversity net gain (BNG). It measures all habitat types, including:

-Meadows
-Hedges
-lakes
-forests
- waterways such as rivers and streams

For the BNG, biodiversity is measured in standardized biodiversity units.

The (regulatory) biodiversity metric measures the biodiversity value of habitats by calculating the number of biodiversity units. Calculated:

- how many units a habitat contains before urbanization
- how many units are needed to replace lost habitat units and achieve 10% net biodiversity gain (GNB), through habitat creation or improvement.
The formula takes into account different factors, including:

- the size of the habitat
- the state of the habitat
- the strategic importance of the habitat
- the type of habitat
For habitats created or enhanced, the formula also takes into account:

- the difficulty of creation or improvement
- the time it takes for a habitat to reach its target state
- the distance from habitat loss

To demonstrate that you have calculated the number of biodiversity units of existing habitats or improved habitats according to the (regulatory) biodiversity metric, the legal (official) biodiversity metric calculation tool must be used.