The Royal Parks and partners win prestigious ecology award

The Royal Parks charity has won a celebrated ecology award from the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), for its research on the relationship between plant diversity and soil health.

The award-winning study, possible thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, found that grassland areas with a diversity of plant species had healthier soils which store more carbon.

These research findings underscore the potential for urban grasslands to act as significant carbon sinks, contributing to climate change mitigation.

The research was undertaken in partnership with Greengage Environmental and London Wildlife Trust and won CIEEM’s Climate and Nature Action 2030 Award.

Urban grasslands are globally widespread but remain under-researched compared with other ecosystems. The project sampled soils across different grassland areas of the Royal Parks, researching areas of both undisturbed grassland, due to reduced mowing regimes, and grassland which saw high disturbance, for example, caused by high footfall.

The Royal Parks delivers a multitude of conservation projects to improve the grasslands and make them more resilient to climate change. This includes leaving many areas to grow into longer grass meadow, and where possible, using traditional methods such as working with Shire horses to cut the grass rather than using heavy tractors. Reducing reliance on machinery means less pressure on the soil beneath, leading to healthier soil which stores more water and carbon.

Andrew Scattergood, Chief Executive of The Royal Parks charity, said:

“In the face of the climate emergency The Royal Parks charity’s research and monitoring work becomes an increasingly important tool in conserving the Royal Parks for future generations.

“Soil is one of our greatest assets. It forms the foundation of the parks’ famous grasslands where millions of visitors walk, exercise, relax and play, as well as providing some of the parks’ most biodiverse habitats. It is where thousands of trees and plants grow, and it stores carbon, manages rainwater flow and filters pollutants.  “We’re thrilled to have our soil health research recognised at these prestigious national awards.

“We will continue to integrate soil health and biodiversity monitoring into routine management practices and tailor activities such as plant selection and mowing regimes to maximise ecological benefits, providing excellence in park management for both visitors and wildlife.”