Populations of organisms that live on the bottom of an aquatic ecosystem, the benthic community, can be assessed to determine the health of the ecosystem. New research explores the many existing methods for assessing benthic communities to ensure that the most appropriate and useful tests are used under the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

CIWEM (The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management) has formally established a Natural Capital Network (NCN) in support of professionals working to protect the resources, sinks and services that are provided by the natural environment.

As the UN International Decade for Biodiversity begins, the need to maintain and restore our natural life support system is greater than ever.

Integrated habitat design ensures that development maintains the health of the natural systems that we all depend on. CIRIA is continuing to support and help judge the competition now in its second year.

This briefing from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) outlines the findings of a literature review carried out by researchers based in the RHS, with assistance from the Universities of Reading and Sheffield.