Will Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) result in biodiversity net loss and negligible socio-economic gain? A case study of BNG in England.

Supervisors:

• Adrian Brennan (Durham University)
• Flurina Wartmann (Aberdeen University)
• Rachel Warmington (Plantlife)
• Stephen Willis (Durham University)

Project Summary:

Biodiversity spans ecosystems to genetic diversity. Yet, for practicality, many nature market schemes measure biodiversity as habitat creation/improvement, to be traded against declining biodiversity (or other target assets). In such schemes, plant species used often come from non-local growers, using mass-produced stock of unknown provenance. Yet, research shows that plants imported from one region to another can perform very differently. Despite the rapid proliferation of UK habitat creation schemes, there is currently little or no consideration of the provenance of the seed-stock used. With the advent of BNG, local provenance issues become more pronounced, as land managers increasingly augment native areas with non-local stock. Hence, BNG risks reducing biodiversity at the genetic level, as unique locally adapted genes are lost to genetic swamping by cultivated plants. Yet, there has been almost no exploration of the necessity for defining BNG provenance zones for plant reproductive material. Similarly, the value of BNG from a public good perspective remains under-researched.

Our first objective explores, for the first time, genetic variation among UK populations of wildflower species used in BNG schemes. We will focus on grassland species (a major BNG habitat) with contrasting dispersal and pollination syndromes. We will utilise expertise within Plantlife (our CASE partner), to identify sampling sites. We will purchase equivalent species from commercial suppliers to explore their relationships with local and national genotypes. Preliminary pilot data from Durham provides compelling early evidence that commercially sourced seeds differ genetically from UK regional samples. We will use ddRADSeq methods (applied successfully by us in similar studies) to measure population-level genetic variation. We will use these data to define provenance zones for plants used in BNG and determine whether a consistent zoning scheme is appropriate for all species.

Our second objective explores the socio-economic value of habitats created and improved under BNG. We will measure, using established social science methods, the value to people of habitats created, and species used, in BNG, as well as the value attributed to local versus non-local plants in projects.

Our final objective will work with our CASE partner and other BNG stakeholders to ensure our findings are incorporated into future good practice, hence, codeveloping the science and practice of future BNG.

To apply visit: https://netgain.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/phd-projects/

Student Profile:

We seek someone who is passionate about biodiversity and conservation, and about stemming biodiversity declines. An ideal candidate will have a strong interest in, or interest in learning skills associated with, ecology, biodiversity conservation, ecological genetics, and evaluating social impacts of the environment. Desirable skills for the PhD include: an interest in UK wildflowers and their conservation, an understanding of ecological genetics, and experience with molecular techniques. However, the student will be fully trained in these skills, and in data collection, analysis, and interpretation. They will join a cohort of students working on biodiversity net gain and nature markets and will receive cohort-level training across a diversity of relevant topics.

Strong candidates will possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. Additionally, they should be highly motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently as well as part of a collaborative team. They should be enthusiastic about collaborating beyond academia and incorporating their findings into future best practices. This opportunity is perfect for someone eager to contribute to innovative and impactful environmental solutions. It will equip them with a solid grounding in cross-disciplinary research in biodiversity conservation and nature markets; skills that are in high demand in both research and job markets.