An ecological and natural capital assessment was completed across 4 hospital campuses; Oxford Road; Withington; Trafford and Wythenshawe to provide Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust with a clear understanding of the benefits of their greenspace assets and how these could be positively managed on site to benefit patients and staff alike.
Habitat and tree data was collected on site and accurately mapped using GIS software. i-Tree Eco and Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees (CAVAT) methodologies analysed the natural capital within the tree stock across the sites, along with air pollution and weather data to quantify tree structure, environmental effects and value to local communities.
The Natural Capital Planning Tool (NCPT) and Green Infrastructure Valuation Toolkit (GI-Val) assessed the potential gains and losses within different greenspace changes. NCPT allowed for the systematic assessment of the likely impact of greenspace changes on natural capital and the ecosystem services it provides to people such as recreational opportunities, air quality regulation and climate regulation.
Site specific results focussed the management team on the ecosystem services with a direct connection and benefit to hospital patients, staff and visitors, including the improvement in air quality, increase in aesthetic values and provision of recreation space, whilst also providing space for local wildlife to thrive.
“You went above and beyond the requirements of our brief and provided us with a high-quality assessment. The report is the building block for our first Green Space Strategy, and it has given us a thorough overview of our sites which we didn’t think we would ever see! We would definitely recommend your services to any other local Trusts and would look to work with you again.”
Katy Isaac, Sustainability Intern, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust