A selection of previous ecological projects undertaken is listed below.
An NVC survey of 'Bawsinch and Duddingston' SWT Wildlife Reserve (27.9ha) was undertaken (including Duddingston Loch SSSI), consisting mainly of fen woodland and open water transition mire. The vegetation was identified and mapped as 87 polygons assigned to 18 NVC communities and 25 sub-communities, with 88 sample quadrats sorted into 22 frequency tables. Notable vascular plant species were recorded. Survey data was digitised onto GIS. The distribution and extent of corresponding 'EC Annex 1 habitats' and SSSI feature habitats' were identified.
An NVC survey of 'Hermand Birchwood' SWT Wildlife Reserve (9.6ha) was undertaken (including Hermand Birchwood SSSI), consisting mainly of wet woodland and remnant raised bog. The vegetation was identified and mapped as 28 polygons assigned to 10 NVC communities and 11 sub-communities, with 61 sample quadrats sorted into 14 frequency tables. Survey data was digitised onto GIS. The distribution and extent of corresponding 'EC Annex 1 habitats' and SSSI feature habitats' were identified.
An NVC survey of 'Linhouse Dean' SWT Wildlife Reserve (22.1ha) was undertaken (including Linhouse Valley SSSI), consisting mainly of ash woodland, lowland heath, valley fen and lowland grassland. The vegetation was identified and mapped as 70 polygons assigned to 17 NVC communities and 22 sub-communities, with 85 sample quadrats sorted into 18 frequency tables. Survey data was digitised onto GIS. The distribution and extent of corresponding 'EC Annex 1 habitats' and SSSI feature habitats' were identified.
An NVC survey of 'Possil Marsh' SWT Wildlife Reserve (31.4ha) was undertaken (including Possil Marsh SSSI), consisting mainly of basin mire (schwingmoor type), fen woodland and open water transition. The vegetation was identified and mapped as 93 polygons assigned to 21 NVC communities and 23 sub-communities, with 105 sample quadrats sorted into 28 frequency tables. Notable vascular plant species were recorded. Survey data was digitised onto GIS. The distribution and extent of corresponding 'EC Annex 1 habitats' and SSSI feature habitats' were identified.
Fieldwork, data entry and report writing for Site Condition Monitoring of 'lowland grassland' and 'fen, marsh and swamp' features on SSSIs. Data recording for attributes and targets, establishment of monitoring transects and photographic record for acid grassland, neutral grassland, calcareous grassland, valley mire, short fen, tall fen, swamp and reedbed habitats. 18 SSSIs, encompassing 31 notified features and 37 sub-features. 70 fens field-forms and 24 grassland field-forms, 103 print-film shots and 561 digital images were recorded. Supplementary reports were provided for the 112 targets that were not met. Line and point data was recorded using GPS and transferred to GIS. SATs and CM Forms were completed for the 18 SSSIs.
Fieldwork, data entry and report writing for Site Condition Monitoring of coastal habitats on SSSIs. Data recording for attributes and targets, establishment of monitoring transects and photographic record for 'maritime cliff', 'shingle', 'sand dune', 'machair' and 'saltmarsh' habitats. 35 SSSIs, encompassing 63 notified features and 97 sub-features. Routes for 91 walks (177kms) and 52 transects (15kms), 459 slide-film shots and 1,923 digital images. Supplementary reports were provided for the 208 targets that were not met. Line and point data was recorded using GPS and transferred to GIS.
Field work and report for survey and appraisal of small (4ha) open ground compartment on a woodland site. Detailed NVC vegetation map on GIS for grassland and scrub habitats, written descriptions of communities and quadrat data. Evaluation of conservation interest and recommendations for management objectives.
Field work and report for survey and appraisal of small (3.8ha) open ground compartment on a woodland site. Detailed NVC vegetation map on GIS for grassland and heath habitats, written descriptions of communities and quadrat data. Evaluation of conservation interest and recommendations for management objectives.
Fieldwork, data entry and report writing for heather condition monitoring of coastal heath habitat at Earlshall Muir SSSI in Fife. Repeat exercise on baseline fieldwork undertaken five years ago, with data recorded within each of eight 20x20m permanent quadrats.
The aims of this project were to provide a description of the current characteristics of the remnant of raised bog and to provide an assessment as to the most appropriate management recommendations for methods of bog restoration. Field work included mapping of drainage (6kms of drains, in six catchments, with nine hydrological outputs from the site), levelling of bog surface and drains (103 points with a range in height 2.25m), peat sampling by Van Post scale of peat decomposition, peat coring with a gouge auger (depth of the 'raised area' peat was in the range of 4.05m to 5.75m) and vegetation survey. Management recommendations included removal of approximately 3000 tonnes of conifer plantation and blocking drains by installation of approximately 70 dams to raise water levels.
Data handling in order to set up the GIS component of the Scottish Wood Pasture Inventory. The Scottish Semi-Natural Woodland Inventory (SNNWI) and the digitised OS 1st edition maps were queried to generate a sample of approximately 150 candidate sites from the ~150,000 woodland polygons in the SSNWI database. Shapefiles for field survey and recording of a sample of the candidate sites were established. Comparision of the SNNWI and the digitised OS 1st edition maps was made for 176 previously known wood pasture sites.
Ecological assessment to determine whether paintball game use would cause excessive and unacceptable damage to the visual quality and ecology of the woodland. Repeat exercise of the ecological survey and appraisal previously undertaken in 1995 and 1999.
Fieldwork and report writing for an NVC vegetation community survey of the raised bog habitat at Red Moss on the Balerno Common SSSI. Six NVC communities were assigned on 40 polygons covering 22ha, with 46 target notes, 27 quadrats and 44 photographs recorded. Survey data for polygons and points was digitally captured on GIS.
An ecological study undertaken to support the Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed development at Edinburgh Gate. Fieldwork included Phase 1 habitats, river corridor survey, botanical, riparian mammals and breeding birds. The written report evaluated the nature conservation interest (in local and national terms), identified any impacts arising from the development and recommended enhancement opportunities to benefit wildlife.
Data handling to assist in the transfer of existing woodland survey records onto new software such that it could be incorporated into an overall GIS data-set package for the native woodland resource in Tayside. Field survey data pertaining to 316 woodland sites was included, of which, 221 formed a random sample and the previous findings for which were published in the booklet "The Future for Tayside's Native Woodlands" (TNWI, 1995).
Interrogated GIS data to provide information on extent and distribution of wildlife habitats and to produced maps for the report.
Digitisation of original Phase 1 habitat survey for Midlothian (paper maps on 1:10,000 25km2 sheets) to ESRI ArcView shapefiles and database files to provide electronic copy of the survey data on GIS for 110km sq and then 130km sq of the district.
Main surveyor and author for a peat depth survey of raised bog remnant in North Lanarkshire, with 84 cores using a gouge auger taken to confirm the boundaries of 8 blocks of deep peat habitat (35ha). Locations were recorded using GPS and digitised to GIS.
Data collation of designated sites information on held on GIS by 18 Local Authorities such that notified interest along the way-leaves of electricity power-lines might be readily identified at an early stage in work proposals. Fieldwork along the way-leaves of electricity power-lines to identify ecological interest and suggest mitigation where tree felling and clearance operations were proposed.
Fieldwork to record peat depth, NVC communities and physical characteristics data on 12 sites across Fife and the Lothians, as part of the ongoing SBBI programme.
Ecological appraisal in order to inform ESW project to lower coliform discharge onto bathing beach. Fieldwork was undertaken for 14km of lowland river in the Lothians, using River Corridor Survey (RCS) and River Habitat Survey (RHS) methodologies. Data collated for existing information on wildlife habitats and species. Report sections included: evaluation of riparian habitat against SERCON criteria; identification of ecological constraints on possible development or construction works; and identification of opportunities for enhancement of nature conservation interest.
Survey and drafting of report on aquatic and terrestrial habitats present at Greenhead Moss Community Nature Park with regards to the suitability of the location for the management and creation of amphibian habitat. Water quality analysis was undertaken (SEPA laboratory at Riccarton) on samples from standing water habitat at 12 locations (testing for pH, electrical conductivity, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and chloride) to determine suitability in relation to the environmental requirements of British amphibian species.
Fieldwork on the initial amphibian survey at the 68ha post-industrial site. Including being a licensee for population survey of the specially protected Great Crested Newt Triturus cristata, using a combination of torching, bottle trapping and pitfall trapping to estimate population size and distribution.
Fieldwork and drafting of report for an NVC survey of the vegetation of the 68ha post-industrial site, recording 20 communities and 194 vascular plant species present on the swamp, fen, grassland, woodland and aquatic habitats.
Survey and drafting of report on the feasibility of the translocation of a Great Crested Newt Triturus cristata population, from a donor location at the former steelworks site to a possible receptor site near Gartcosh railway junction.
Co-author of a management plan for the Country Park, covering 260ha of SSSI, scheduled ancient monument, semi-natural vegetation and recreational facilities in Central Scotland. Existing survey and management information was integrated into one document for the next five year period, comprising 15 main objectives and covering 12 management compartments, including Mugdock Wood, Drumclog Moor and the northern part of the Park.
Field survey and co-author for heather condition survey of 370ha of maritime heath on the Fife coast. Data was recorded from 100 quadrats (20x20cm) in 8 plots (20x20m) in order to establish a baseline against which the results of future management can be monitored.
Surveyor and co-author of NVC survey of 120ha of Country Park (150-180m altitude) in Central Scotland, with 21 NVC communities and 191 vascular plant species recorded. A discussion of nature conservation value and management options was provided.