Integrating ecological processes into building information modelling for heritage conservation

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is increasingly used in heritage conservation, yet biological processes such as colonisation dynamics, growth rates, succession, and biologically driven material change remain poorly integrated. We propose an Ecological BIM (E-BIM) approach that treats these processes as dynamic components of coupled biological-material-environment systems. We outline conceptual shifts, data needs, and methodological challenges involved in translating ecological knowledge into BIM-compatible variables for monitoring, scenario-based modelling, and conservation decision-making.