Biodiversity Audit

A Biodiversity Audit would enable the college to determine key areas for conservation, as well as aid in establishing conservation priorities.

A Biodiversity Audit would directly support and enhance the biodiversity of Trinity by creating a long-needed biodiversity baseline for Trinity's campus. This will enable accurate communication of Trinity's biodiversity to the college community and beyond, and allow future initiatives to quantify success in increasing biodiversity, building on this base-line. A Biodiversity Audit is important as it would look at how well the grounds of Trinity provide habitat for wildlife and is an evidence-based approach to understanding the requirements and conservation needs of priority species. This project aims to tackle the challenge by assigning habitat classes to each habitat patch (and creating a habitat inventory), creating an online system for capturing and displaying data (data mapping system) and by conducting intensive species-level assessments, which would incorporate staff expertise, student interns and the help of volunteers. Working with the existing Biodiversity Audit group (comprising Trinity staff and students, including Professor Jane Stout in Botany, members of Estate and Facilities, and the Green Campus Biodiversity sub-committee), a student intern will assist with the development and testing of species sampling protocols and with habitat mapping and data system analysis. Sampling protocols are important for consistent year on year monitoring of biodiversity change. Through species listings, potential student-led bio-blitzes and student engagement, the Biodiversity Audit hopes to reveal a diverse mix of nature amid the city centre and subsequently draw attention to the need to ensure the biodiversity of Trinity is protected, as well as promote continual management towards future flourishment.

The proposed Biodiversity Audit will look at the grounds of Trinity main campus. It will classify both habitat level and species level biodiversity using standard methods, and will provide a baseline for future monitoring of biodiversity, and as a platform on which to build Natural Capital Accounts.

A fund of €600 would go directly towards supporting a student intern to create and test sampling protocols and act as compensation for contact hours that will be necessary throughout the summer months.

The Biodiversity Audit is primarily an outdoor venture so COVID-19 restrictions will be dealt with by maintaining the 2m distance as work is carried out on the grounds. Masks can be mandated and letters to travel can be issued for those outside the 5km should this restriction still be in place.