Maximising the opportunities for biodiversity requires an understanding of an area’s distinct habitats and species. As we highlighted in Section 1.1, native flora tend to sustain the greatest biodiversity. It is therefore important as a first step to characterise the distinct ecology, or ‘biogeography’, of the area.

However, it is also important to recognise that urban areas create their own environmental conditions and so some exotic species may be appropriate. This information can then be used as a reference point for landscape architects.

Characterising an area requires reference to Natural Area Profiles developed by English Nature and the local Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), both of which are available as web resources. Natural Area Profiles describe the distinct habitats of sub-regional character areas. As is shown in the example for Wellingborough East (Case Study 2, Section 2.2), which falls within the West Anglian Plain Area Profile. Equivalent tools for UK regions are Landmap, developed by the Countryside Council for Wales and Natural heritage zones, developed by Scottish Natural Heritage.

Local BAPs provide definitive information for an area enabling distinct natural habitats and species to be identified - including those at risk. Additional sources include the UK’s broad habitat classification, the national vegetation classification and organisations such as Flora Locale. Guides are also available, which cover species that are well adapted to urban habitats.

This information can then be used to develop a pattern book of plant communities. The design value of this approach can be illustrated by the new community of WaterColor in Florida (see case study 3) and Amsterdam’s Heem Parks (Case Study 2, Section 3.3).