A selection of previous ecological projects undertaken is listed below.
An NVC survey of 'Kintail and Falls of Glomach' (7,581ha) was undertaken, a large West Highland Estate consisting of a range of upland habitats between sea-level and 1,068m altitude. Key habitats included wet heath, blanket bog, dry heath, alpine heath, alpine moss heath, snowbeds, alpine and subalpine calcareous grassland, alpine flush, alkaline fen, tall-herb ledges and fern-beds, birch woodland, alder woodland and saltmarsh. The vegetation was identified and mapped as 530 polygons assigned to 59 NVC communities and 98 sub-communities. Supporting data included 368 sample quadrats (sorted into 93 frequency tables), 987 target notes and 986 digital photgraphs. Notable vascular plant species were recorded, including 10 Nationally Scarce species and one sedge species (Carex salina) new to the British Isles. 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 'Belmaduthy Dam' SWT Wildlife Reserve (19.5ha) was undertaken (including Dam Wood SSSI and SAC), consisting mainly of lowland heath, alkaline fen and juniper scrub. The vegetation was identified and mapped as 31 polygons assigned to 11 NVC communities and 12 sub-communities, with 64 sample quadrats sorted into 15 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 'Tummel Shingle Islands' SWT Wildlife Reserve (40.3ha) was undertaken (including Shingle Islands SSSI and SAC), consisting mainly of alluvial woodland, lowland calcareous grassland, lowland neutral grassland and pioneering shingle vegetation. The vegetation was identified and mapped as 89 polygons assigned to 12 NVC communities and 15 sub-communities, with 81 sample quadrats sorted into 17 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 and report for survey and assessment of the habitat condition of 3,998ha of dry heath, wet heath and blanket bog on an upland estate in the north east of Scotland. Field indicator data for Habitat Impact Assessment methology (MacDonald et al 1998) was collected and entered onto GIS and then compared against targets for 'favourable' habitat condition set by the Common Standards Monitoring Guidelines (JNCC 2004). 190 polygons were mappped as 13 habitat types, with the database includng 5,486 entries for habitat impact indicators, 350 entries for ecological constraints and 395 digital photographs. Intense disturbance, in the form of high impact 'burning', 'browsing' or 'drainge' was identified on 15% of the site. Changes in the burning regime and grazing management were recommended in order to reduce impact levels and improve favourable condition statius of the heather habitats.
Data handling for upland habitat on 39 SSSIs and 19 SACs. Conversion of vegetation codes (from NVC, Birks & Ratcliffe and SBBI surveys) to SSSI and SAC "interest features". Creation of 'feature maps' on GIS data-set for each site. Production of lists of sample points for features on each site. Processing of data for 101 SAC features and 62 SSSI features. Use of custom scripts and processes in MS Excel, VisualBasic and ESRI ArcView to achieve outputs.
A 'veteran tree survey' of the 'ancient wood pasture' on the Glen Finglas Estate, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs. 51 random sample plots (50m x 50m size) spread over 250ha of lightly wooded glen (160-490m altitude). 512 trees were assessed against veteran tree crtieria; with species, girth size, tree form, veteran characteristics, GPS location and digital photographs recorded for each tree. The information recorded was entered into a GIS compatible database. Population estimates for ancient and veteran trees were given. Threshholds were suggested for girth size and veteran tree scores indicative of particular nature conservation interest
A vegetation survey of the of Isle of Coll (7,489ha), including 3 SSSIs, 2 SACs and 2 SPAs, on the west coast of Scotland. The vegetation was identified and mapped, mainly comprising moorland and sand dunes, but including the whole of the Hebridean islands of Coll and Gunna. 2445 polygons were assigned to 69 NVC communities and 116 sub-communities, with 451 target notes, 413 digital photos and 457 quadrats recorded. Notable vascular plant species were recorded. Survey data was digitised onto GIS. The distribution of EC Annex 1 habitats was identified, including 7 coastal habitats and nine upland habitats.
Fieldwork, data entry and report writing for Site Condition Monitoring of coastal habitats on SSSIs, SACs and Ramsar sites. Data recording for attributes and targets, establishment of monitoring transects and photographic record for 'maritime cliff', 'shingle', 'sand dune', 'machair' and 'saltmarsh' habitats. 32 SSSIs, 8 SACs and one Ramsar site, encompassing 53 notified features and 102 sub-features. Routes for 87 walks (299kms) and 332 transects (16.7kms), 453 slide-film shots and 3,436 digital images. Supplementary reports were provided for the 224 targets that were not met. Line and point data was recorded using GPS and transferred to GIS..
Field survey of badger activity and provision of wildlife consultancy service to obtain licence from SNH to destroy badger sett at Balmacree transmitter site.
Data handling for upland habitat on 78 SSSIs and 27 SACs. Conversion of vegetation codes (from NVC, Birks & Ratcliffe and SBBI surveys) to SSSI and SAC "interest features". Creation of 'feature maps' on GIS data-set for each site. Generation of random sample points for each site. Production of lists of sample points for features on each site. Processing of data for 146 SAC features and 140 SSSI features. Written method statement describing custom scripts and processes used in MS Excel and ESRI ArcView to achieve outputs.
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.
Provision of wildlife consultancy service to obtain licence from SNH to destroy badger sett at Balmacree transmitter site.
Field visits to 23 'open woodland' sites in the Trossachs, as part of the Scottish Wood Pasture Inventory project. Candidate sites provisionally identified by GIS deskwork were visited to confirm their status. The 'wood pasture' status of each site was confirmed by identifying and photographing the presence, type and condition of veteran trees; with additional information recorded for ground flora, adjacent habitat and land-use.
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.
Fieldwork, data entry and report writing for Site Condition Monitoring of coastal habitats on SSSIs, encompassing 25 notified features on 17 sites spread around the coast of Scotland. Data recording for attributes and targets, establishment of monitoring transects and photographic record for cliff slope and top, shingle, dunes, saltmarsh and machair habitats. Line and point data was recorded using GPS and transferred to GIS.
Fieldwork, data entry and report writing for Site Condition Monitoring vascular plants on SSSIs, encompassing four Red Data Book species and 14 Nationally Scarce species, at Glen Coe SSSI. Size and distribution of species populations were identified and recorded, along with environmental parameters and photographic record. Point data was recorded using GPS and transferred to GIS.
Co-author of badger survey report undertaken to identify the current status of badger activity at the specified location. Badgers were confirmed present and a search of the site revealed four active setts. Possible mitigation of the proposed development was suggested.
Field surveyor and co-author, with responsibility for the NVC component of the project, on a vegetation survey of 3700ha of upland habitat (300-1151m altitude) in the West Highlands, with 30 communities and five nationally scarce vascular plant species recorded. Survey data was digitised onto GIS.
Data handling and visits to SNH Area Offices for 18 large upland designated sites in Scotland. Digitisation of Black File maps for three sites covering 350km sq. Conversion of vegetation codes, from NVC and Birks & Ratcliffe surveys to SSSI and N2K "interest features", for 18 upland sites amounting to ~1500km sq, to create a GIS data-set such that random sample points could be generated. Visits to three Area offices to confirm notified interest and identify ecological constraints on SSSIs and SACs.
Fieldwork to record peat depth, NVC communities and physical characteristics 76 sites in "Sutherland, Caithness & Orkney" in 2000 as part of the ongoing SBBI programme.
Fieldwork to record peat depth, NVC communities and physical characteristics data, on 10 sites across Islay and Jura, as part of the ongoing SBBI programme.
Field surveyor and co-author with responsibility for NVC survey of approximately 2500ha of upland habitat (300-771m altitude) in Central Scotland, with data recorded for 459 polygons, 115 target notes and 101 quadrats (assigned to 54 NVC sub-communities). Survey data was digitised onto GIS.
Field surveyor and co-author with responsibility for NVC of 1100ha of upland habitat (300-847m altitude) in Central Scotland, out of an overall NVC survey area of 115km
Survey of 84 sites (540x540m square) spread across the Western Isles, West Highland, East Highland and Grampian, with vegetation and environmental parameters recorded and NVC communities mapped.
Field surveyor and co-author of NVC survey of 1520 ha of moorland and woodland habitat in East Highland, with 21 NVC communities and 192 vascular plant species recorded. Evaluation of nature conservation value was undertaken and potential woodland cover (as a result of ecological succession) was identified. Survey data was digitised onto GIS.
Surveyor and minor author for an NVC survey of an island NNR (approximately 10,800ha) on the north-west coast of Scotland. Annotated 1:10,000 scale maps, photographs, target notes, floristic tables and habitat impact assessment field indicators were provided.
Surveyor and author of NVC survey of 23ha of meadow habitat on the Northern Isles, with 11 NBVC communities recorded on crofting in-bye, management strips. A series of 105 permanent random re-locatable quadrats were established using SNH specified methodology of nested quadrats.
NVC survey of approximately 100ha of crofting township, much of it meadow grassland, on the north-west coast of Scotland, with 20 NVC communities (28 sub-communities) and 179 vascular plant species recorded. Conservation importance and management implications were discussed.
Ecological survey of two sites in the Portree area, West Highland, covering 45ha and extending from moorland down to the inter-tidal zone. Phase 1 habitats, NVC communities and MNCR inter-tidal community biotypes were identified. Common Bird Census CBC) was undertaken. Discussion of conservation value, possible impacts and enhancement opportunities were given.
Vegetation survey of 54 ha of heath and mire habitat (30-77m altitude) in West Highland, with eight Phase 1 habitats, seven NVC communities (ten sub-communities) and 91 vascular plant species recorded. Possible management impacts were assessed and opportunities for enhancement were identified.
Vegetation survey on 80ha of lowland floodplain in North Highland, with 10 Phase 1 habitats, 17 NVC communities and 184 vascular plant species recorded. Discussions of conservation value, impact assessment and enhancement opportunities were provided.
Summer Warden for 1620 ha of upland habitat (sea level to 446m altitude) in Argyll. Responsibilities included wardening, management and administration of the site. NVC survey and mapping of 900ha of coastal and upland habitat, comprising 30 communities (41 sub-communities). Monitoring of the RDB plant population of Oxytropis campestris (Yellow Milk-vetch). Moorland Breeding Bird Survey covering 1600ha, seabird counts of coastal cliffs (from eight view-points) and Schedule 1 rare breeding bird return.
Biological recording on 5900ha of upland habitat (sea level to 743m altitude) in the north-west of Scotland. Responsibilities included a base-line survey of woodland remnants along 11km of loch-side slopes, recording 6 NVC woodland sub-communities in 265 discrete fragments of canopy. Moorland and coastal vegetation survey recording 20 Phase 1 habitats and 14 moorland NVC communities, including mapping of past and present muirburn and red deer counts. Schedule 1 rare breeding bird returns.
Surveyor and author for a vegetation survey of 125ha island habitat (sea level to 171m altitude) on the north-west coast of Scotland, with 18 Phase 1 habitats, 20 NVC communities and 159 species of vascular plant recorded.