Keystone Ecology
Keystone Habitats
Keystone – making ecology our business
Keystone Marine
Our marine ecological consultancy services include seabed, intertidal and sub-tidal surveys, seabed sampling, biotope surveys and mapping, marine mammal and bird surveys, plankton, fish and benthic surveys, GIS Mapping, Ecological Impact Assessment and the design and implementation of Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Plans.
Ecology, Habitats and Marine Survey, Assessment, Design, Planning and Contracting
Featured projects
- Ecology Surveys and Mitigation for Brownfield Regeneration
- Great Crested Newt and Invertebrate Surveys
- Ecological Feasibility Survey for Proposed Pipeline Routes
- Strategic Habitats Regulations Assessment
- Rail Contractor Briefing for Reptiles
- Ecology Surveys for Hydropower Scheme
- Ecological Risk Assessments – M23 Collision Zone
- Ecology Surveys for Commercial Wind Farms
- Ecological Baseline Surveys and ES Chapter
- 5th National Otter Survey
- Ecology Survey and Assessment for Waste Composting Facility
- Biodiversity Action Plan – Longcliffe Quarry
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions
© 2002 - 2024 Keystone Environmental | Ecology Consultancy and Contracting
Registered in England and Wales Company Number 04445324
Registered Office: The Old Barn, Park Farm Buildings, Beverston, Tetbury, GL8 8TT
HEAD OFFICE: 01666 503687
WELSH OFFICE: 02920 504024
Reptiles
There are 6 native species of reptile which occupy the UK, all of which are UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority Species with listing on numerous Local BAPs. Sand Lizard and Smooth Snake are the rarest with restricted distributions and protection under UK and European legislation. In contrast the more common reptiles Grass Snake, Slow Worm, Common Lizard and Adder have a wider distribution with partial protection under UK legislation.
Habitat preferences and distribution of common reptiles vary but in broad terms they can be found in a range of habitats, in both rural and urban locations. Common reptiles are generally less abundant in intensively managed farmland, highly built up settings and in upland areas.
The Smooth Snake is generally restricted to heathland in southern England whilst the Sand Lizard is limited to heathland and dunes in southern England, Mersyside and the north Wales coast (although there have been numerous releases of captive bred Sand Lizards in various locations across England).
Our support capabilities for Reptile issues are:
Ecology
Survey
Reptile habitat suitability index assessment, presence/absence and population surveys.
Design and Assessment
Masterplan design and Impact Assessment.
Licence Application
European Protected Species licence application for Sand Lizard and Smooth Snake, site supervision and monitoring.
Mitigation
Receptor site and compensatory habitat selection and design, precautionary working method statements, tool box talks, pre-works survey and site supervision, translocation.
Management and Monitoring
Production of management plans and monitoring during construction and post mitigation.
Habitats
Exclusion and Fence Installation
Installation of Reptile exclusion fencing, pit and bespoke reptile proof designs to accommodate public access across donor sites.
Mitigation
Destructive searches and habitat manipulation to speed up the translocation process.
Habitat Creation and Restoration
Receptor site creation – tree, woodland, scrub and hedgerow planting, grassland seeding, hibernacula creation, pond and creation and restoration, micro-climate creation e.g. sandy banks, wet scrapes, log piles.
Habitat Clearance
Tree, scrub, woodland and hedgerow clearance, stump grinding and treatment and turf stripping.
Habitat Management
Short and long-term habitat management for Reptiles. Habitat management to increase the quality of existing reptile habitat.