Garden Lab

The garden is equipped with sensors that monitor the surrounding soundscape for bird and bat activity. These sensors collect audio through an ultrasonic microphone and use deep learning algorithms to identify bird and bat calls, determining the species most likely to have made each call. Connected to the UCL Internet of Things (IoT) network, these sensors periodically update their detections, providing valuable data on urban wildlife

The garden features an automated monitoring platform (UKCEH AMI-trap) for long-term, autonomous monitoring of moths. This system combines lighting to attract insects with high-resolution cameras to capture images for biodiversity monitoring. The data collected helps track changes in moth populations over time.

A smart wasp enclosure monitors the environmental conditions of a wasp nest, including weight, temperature, humidity, acoustics, and vision. This setup helps researchers understand the living conditions and behaviour of wasps in an urban setting.

A weather station collects microclimate data, including temperature, pressure, wind, and rain. This information supports various experiments in the garden by providing context for environmental conditions.

In addition to the automated system, traditional moth traps are used once a week to study moth diversity and abundance. These traps have collected around 500 moths of 80 species over the year, providing a baseline for understanding moth populations prior to the landscaping and planting of the garden.

An overhead flight tracker records air traffic, offering insights into the impact of urban noise and movement on local wildlife.

This sensor monitors changes in the pond’s water level, crucial for maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems within the garden.

Soil moisture levels are monitored to inform irrigation and watering requirements, ensuring that plants receive optimal hydration.

The Wildflower Turf® meadow includes 38 native, mostly perennial, species chosen for their ability to thrive on rooftop gardens with minimal irrigation. This meadow supports a diversity of invertebrates and birds, enhancing urban biodiversity.

Seeded with sediment from a "ghost pond" in Norfolk, this pond provides a habitat for freshwater insects. The sediment was donated by Carl Sayer (UCL Geography) and the Norfolk Ponds Project, aiding in the restoration of these valuable ecosystems.

Designed as a flexible field experimental research and teaching lab, the garden meets several objectives: providing areas for ecological experiments, deploying sensor technologies to monitor biodiversity, ensuring easy maintenance, offering seating and teaching spaces, maximising native biodiversity, and meeting disability access requirements.

The garden prioritises insect biodiversity by providing resources and nesting sites. The wildflower meadow offers nectar and pollen for bees, hoverflies, and butterflies, while bare ground and sandy substrates encourage ground-nesting insects. The pond supports freshwater insects like dragonflies and damselflies.

The garden serves as a welcoming space for students to gather, with gardening workshops run by UCL East's Student Support and Wellbeing team in collaboration with the People and Nature Lab. These workshops highlight the mental health benefits of nature, such as reducing stress and increasing wellbeing.

A bed planted for the Institute of Making's Experimental Kitchen provides fresh produce for fermentation workshops. These workshops explore sustainable food practices, focusing on health, wellbeing, and the ecological benefits of brine-fermented foods.