Our core work is based around mapping and assessing natural capital and the ecosystem services it provides. We use robust and scientifically rigorous methods for quantifying and valuing natural capital benefits. And we believe that additional insights can be gained by taking a spatial perspective on the variation in natural capital assets and the benefits that they deliver across an area, using a Geographic Information System (GIS) based approach. Maps can highlight hotspots and coldspots of ecosystem service delivery, as well as important spatial patterns.
Our projects begin by producing a highly detailed natural capital basemap of a study area. To do this we use Ordnance Survey MasterMap polygons. We then use a wide range of different data sets to classify each polygon to a detailed habitat type, and to associate a range of additional data with each polygon. Once a detailed habitat basemap has been created, it is then possible to quantify and map the benefits that these habitats provide to people.
For every ecosystem service, the capacity of the natural environment to deliver that service – or the current supply – is mapped. For some ecosystem services it is also possible to map the local demand (the beneficiaries) for these services. This enables us to accurately and objectively map the best areas to enhance natural capital. In many cases we also calculate the monetary value of ecosystem services.
Our maps are effective at any scale, from regional to site or field-scale, and have application from strategic and catchment planning, down to development control and farm interventions. Each project is tailored to the specific needs of the client.
This summary describes a payment scheme designed to provide grants to landowners for planting new woodland in and around the North East Community Forest area. The scheme, commissioned by the North East Community Forest, establishes the best locations to target, and sets payment rates that reflect the public benefits delivered.
NCS were commissioned to manage the pre-and post-public consultation LNRS development process, provide the mapped evidence base and co-write the strategy text for the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes LNRS. NCS produced maps of the location, extent and condition of habitats across the region, before using opportunity mapping to highlight the best locations to create or restore habitats related to the priorities and measures for the region. NCS also created maps showing the best opportunities to enhance the provision of a range of ecosystem services, along with a range of other opportunities. Maps were analysed and summarised for different National Character Area zones across the study area and weighted by stakeholder priorities.
NCS also created a web-based interactive portal to display all of the maps. This will be publicly accessible when the LNRS is published and the draft output was available for users during the recent public consultation. NCS also created a StoryMap of the draft LNRS for consultation. NCS prepared and delivered all LNRS outputs ready for public consultation, in line with the Statutory Guidance (Sections 104-6 of the Environment Act 2021) and Buckinghamshire Council’s Accessibility Standards, and assisted with delivery and communications. This included report writing, editing, oversight and task allocation of all LNRS outputs, and writing the Priorities and Measures, Stakeholder Engagement and LRNS methodology statement outputs.
This project considers what it would mean to double nature across Northamptonshire and Peterborough and how it could be achieved, and presents this in the form of a Natural Capital Investment Plan. The project began by modelling, mapping and valuing the natural capital assets across the area and identifying key policy drivers influencing decision making. It then determined what it would mean to double nature and calculated the costs and benefits of doing so. It mapped a potential nature recovery network, as well as opportunities to enhance natural capital to meet a range of further objectives. It identified priority areas for targeting these interventions and collated a list of potential natural capital projects being considered across the area. A number of emerging funding mechanisms that could be used to deliver such projects were then identified and described. Six case studies are presented to illustrate the costs and benefits of different types of natural capital projects, and conclusions and recommendations for taking this plan forward are presented.
The project involved a fine-scale and detailed mapping of the natural capital assets, biodiversity and ecosystem services baselines for the open spaces and green infrastructure owned by the City of London Corporation (CoLC).
A project commissioned by RSPB Northern Ireland that explored the added value that enhancing farmland nature can deliver, and assessed its viability in the context of changes to agricultural policy post-Brexit, and the need to address the climate and nature emergencies. The report was delivered as an interactive html file.
An examination of the interrelationship between natural capital and its economic and social development ambitions for the Cheshire and Warrington area.
An examination of the economic and social benefits of investing in a healthy natural environment in Stirling.
A natural capital account and assessment for a major housing and community development in East Northamptonshire.
