A selection of previous ecological projects undertaken is listed below.
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.
Field survey of badger activity and provision of wildlife consultancy service to obtain licence from SNH to destroy badger sett at Balmacree transmitter site.
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.
Provision of wildlife consultancy service to obtain licence from SNH to destroy badger sett at Balmacree transmitter site.
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.
Four reservoirs were visited in the Black Esk Water Supply Area, namely the Black Esk Reservoir and Winterhope Reservoir, and the disused Torbeckhill Reservoir and Purdomstone Reservoir. Water abstraction, forestry, pastoral, arable and water quality problems were found to be the main issues affecting the reservoirs visited. Conservation objectives for upland freshwater habitats were given. Enhancement opportunities identified included: the creation of new wetland habitat (i.e. swamp, fen and wet woodland) at the two disused reservoirs; the enhancement of habitat for mammal species (i.e. otters and bats) at three of the reservoirs; and the possible establishment of a new colony of Elatine hexandra Six-stamened Waterwort at one reservoir.
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.
Provided services as an 'expert witness' on badger ecology, giving evidence at Public Local Inquiry into a planning application for a proposed opencast mining development.
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.
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.
Fieldwork and data entry, locating specified blanket bog features accurately with handheld GPS and mapping onto GIS.
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.
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.
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.