Another survey network?
Lowland heathlands are one of the rarest habitats on the planet and we’re lucky enough in the UK to house a significant proportion– around 20% of the global coverage. Lowland heathland is home to a variety of rare species but continues to come under threat from a range of pressures, including climate change, fragmentation, development and recreational access by visitors. The current information on the status of heathlands and the species they support is sparse for some species groups. A greater level of cohesion is needed to generate the information needed to manage and protect this fantastic habitat.
The aim of the Heathland Surveillance Network is to test the level of motivation among volunteers to use monitoring protocols to generate species records for their local heathland site. We want to help establish and support a strong network of volunteers and partner NGOs to generate site based species data for lowland heathlands without adding another layer of organisation and duplicating effort. The Network will draw together information from existing recording schemes, targeted species surveys and through the involvement of a wider range of participants.
This project and the broad idea of a surveillance network is part of a series of trials being commissioned by Natural England. Putting the habitat at the centre of the network means that all participants have something in common. Bringing recorders together, expanding interests and skills is key – particularly with the longer term aim of better understanding the status of under-recorded species and their broad habitat requirements.
Let’s try it out for size – pilot progress….
This summer, the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and Footprint Ecology with the help of local experts are running free training events to test how the Network methods could work. The project is being run in three pilot areas – Thames Basin Heaths, Dorset and Staffordshire, with a training event being run in each area:
- Thames Basin Heaths –Chobham Common Saturday 8th June 10:30am-5pm – meet at the Surrey Wildlife Trust ranger office, Gorse Lane, Chobham.
- Dorset – Studland Tuesday 11th June 10:30am-5pm – meet at the National Trust Discovery Centre.
- Staffordshire – Highgate Common Sunday 23rd June 10:30am-5pm – meet at the Cory Community Centre
The training is free and from it we hope that volunteers will try the methods out for size in their local area. Support will be provided, along with maps, recording forms, instructions and help with permission to survey.
To register to take part in the training events or find out more please contact info@footprint-ecology.co.uk, 01929 552444 or visit the website.
Written by Katie Cruickshanks and David Roy