Map Impact are the pioneering environmental data services company providing products that are helping nature count and delivering evidence to comply with environmental legislation.
What we do
Map Impact’s BiodiversityView is a screening and monitoring product that gives you a rapid, consistent and objective appraisal of biodiversity across your landholdings. Based upon the principles of DEFRA’s Biodiversity Metric Calculator, and utilising novel satellite earth observation technology, it is significantly streamlining biodiversity assessment workflows.
The product is available immediately, off-the-shelf, with nationwide coverage. It is designed for ease of access, with flexible licensing terms aligned with your end use case.
What we can help you with
New environmental planning legislation (Biodiversity Net Gain) is significantly increasing demand for ecological assessment. From February 2024, all new planning applications in England are mandated to demonstrate Biodiversity Net Gain of 10%. Understanding biodiversity habitat and condition relies on qualified professionals, with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) describing a “crisis in the sector” and a shortage of ecologists.
The new legislation sits alongside wider government ambitions relating to regional Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) and 30x30 nature targets – all of which require a consistent, objective, and holistic approach to understanding nature.
Our solution
Map Impact’s indications of biodiversity habitat and condition (plus net gain and loss of biodiversity over time), are provided every 50 metres, using metrics derived from satellite imagery. A database has been created covering all of England, meaning that rapid and on-demand understanding of biodiversity can be delivered immediately. This supports ecologists by making workflows more efficient and reducing site visits, but also ensures consistency when comparing one location to another.
The unique power of satellite imagery allows an archive to be accessed to objectively indicate trends over time and to continuously monitor into the future.
Benefits of working with us
By providing initial screening of a location entirely remotely, the need for site visits can be greatly reduced, presenting significant cost savings. BiodiversityView also offers the ability to rapidly re-appraise your landholdings, highlighting potential opportunity for biodiversity enhancement and therefore value creation through biodiversity credits.
Case study - Raven Housing Trust
