One of the key priorities of Trinity College Dublin’s Sustainability Strategy is to become a nature-positive campus, and our Biodiversity Plan aims for 30% of Trinity’s land to be protected, managed, or restored for nature by 2030. At the same time, Trinity’s Strategic Plan, THRIVE, positions sport as a key institutional priority, committing to upgrading outdoor facilities for sport. To ensure these twin ambitions are complementary, this study, conducted as part of a Laidlaw Undergraduate Leadership and Research Programme, examined the current status of plant and animal species biodiversity at three of Trinity’s sporting locations. The aim was to develop recommendations to maintain and enhance nature at these sites, whilst also improving facilities for sport, health and wellbeing.

An interactive, public facing biodiversity map of all three sites, complete with a full species list for each of the habitats found within each of the sports grounds, was updated to reflect findings and provide a platform for future data collation and viewing.

Several site surveys were completed to determine the species present in each area. At the same time, desk research was conducted to help evaluate the ecological value of each of these habitats and generate recommendations for maintenance teams. Nine site surveys were conducted over a four-week period, using transect walks in each of the habitats present. These habitats had been previously determined and mapped using Arc GIS maps at each of the sites. Species were identified using the online biodiversity tool iNaturalist (a free citizen science platform and social network allowing users to identify species by sharing photos) and added to a central database for each of these sites.

In total, 229 species of plants, fungus, insects, fish, crustaceans, mammals and birds were identified across the three sites, and management practices associated with higher levels of biodiversity were identified. These included, but are not limited to, low intensity management of native Irish grassland, the strategic use of deadwood to provide habitat, initiatives like ‘No Mow May’, and the planting of a mixture of native and long-flowering trees and hedging.

The variety of plant and animal species present on the sports grounds indicate that the strategies implemented are working and will continue to support a wide range of species, but there is potential for more to be done. As these sites are developed to improve sporting facilities, management should support the native biodiversity present, minimise damage, and ensure we create green islands and corridors for connected nature throughout the city.