Can you engineer biodiversity?

Letting nature in isn’t complicated or costly and does not have to compete with other themes such as climate adaptation or energy efficiency. On the International Day for Biological Diversity, Ecologist Marijn de Kool and Biodiversity Consultant Laura Oosting share three ways on how engineers can help build biodiversity with every project. 

1. Build biodiversity from the baseline 

Laura: Improving biodiversity doesn’t have to be difficult. It just means creating complete habitats for (selected) species so that others can thrive alongside. Biodiversity is built from the base up so the key to a long-term, sustainable ecosystem is to focus on the species that should be in the area. Supporting this baseline is far less complex or challenging than seeking to attract a rare or endangered species. If the foundation species are in place, they will provide the basis on which greater biodiversity can build. 

Measures can be as simple as selecting the correct vegetation and plant species for landscaping. Adding small measures such as bat boxes, wildflowers for pollinators or raised fences for hedgehogs can all make a difference. 

Marijn: Understanding which species to target involves numerous data collection methods – from national or municipal databases to field observation. As data availability increases through long term monitoring, expanded collection efforts, and the growing availability of open-source datasets, and as AI provides instant analysis and insights, this baseline assessment is becoming more detailed.  

Countries such as the UK are stipulating that biodiversity net gain is incorporated into development, as a result, monitoring and assessment of biodiversity is increasingly built into the planning phase.  

2. Let nature in, from the start 

Laura: Nature inclusive design and measures to improve biodiversity don’t have to be major elements of a project. As mentioned, it can be as simple as making sure planting plans include the right species and are positioned to provide corridors for wildlife to travel along – something we are exploring extensively with our work on the Vlietlijn, a new tram connection between Voorburg, Rijswijk, and The Hague in the Netherlands. What is more difficult is attempting to bolt on measures as an afterthought.  

Projects where ecology is considered early on, demonstrate how tweaks to spatial plans can have a significant impact on factors such as light pollution, acoustics or vibrations – not only bringing benefits to plants and wildlife but also improving the human user experience.  

For a long time, urban development plans were visualised to be as slick as possible: concrete, steel, glass. But this is softening as owners, operators and designers see the benefits of bringing nature in – not just in terms of benefits for plant and animal life, but for humans too. In the UK, a study of three NHS hospitals showed the measurable impact of green space on staff well-being and there is evidence that it also helps patient recovery. Whether it’s green space for office workers to enjoy a break or a stunning rooftop garden that becomes a visitor attraction, including nature can improve well-being and productivity alongside supporting biological diversity.  

Investors are responding. The CSRD legislation is proving a catalyst for conversations around environmental impact, reporting and expectations. Increasingly investors are showing willing to explore the potential of nature inclusive design and biodiversity. 

Publicly funded projects are also championing this approach, as seen with recent projects, such as the selection of a sandy foreshore design rather than the traditional two metre elevation at IJsselmeerdijk. Some such as the World Bank have funding guidelines in place to support the selection of nature-based solutions.  

3. Celebrate the connections between biodiversity, energy and climate change