Handbook of Biodiversity Methods Survey, Evaluation and Monitoring

Biodiversity is recognized to be of global importance, yet species and habitats continue to be under increasing pressure from human-induced influences. Environmental concerns are high on the political agenda, driving increased legislation to protect the natural environment. The starting point for much of this legislation is the requirement for a comprehensive biodiversity audit. This Handbook provides standard procedures which will enable practitioners to better monitor the condition of the biodiversity resource, resulting in improved data upon which to base future policy decisions and actions.

Biodiversity is recognised to be of global importance, yet species and habitats continue to be under increasing pressure from human-induced influences. Environmental concerns are high on the political agenda, driving increased legislation to protect the natural environment. The starting point for much of this legislation is the requirement for a comprehensive biodiversity audit. For those needing to undertake such audits, this Handbook, first published in 2005, provides standard procedures which will enable practitioners to better monitor the condition of the biodiversity resource, resulting in improved data upon which to base future policy decisions and actions. Organised in three parts, the Handbook first addresses planning, covering method selection, experimental design, sampling strategy, and data analysis and evaluation. The second part describes survey, evaluation and monitoring methods for a broad range of habitats. Part three considers species and provides information on general methods before addressing specific methods of survey and monitoring for the major taxonomic groups.

Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. Planning M. Fasham, G. Tucker, A. Bennett, T. Rich, M. Shewry, P. Shaw and M. Wade: 1. Introduction to Part 1; 2. Planning a programme; 3. Evaluation methods; Part II. Habitats G. Tucker, M. Fasham, T. Rich, M. Rebane, G. Peterken, F. McMeechan and R. Birnie: 4. Introduction to Part 2; 5. Habitat requirements and issues; 6. Methods for surveying habitats; 7. Surveying and monitoring management or environmental impacts; 8. Habitat conservation evaluation criteria; Part III. Species: 9. Introduction to Part 3; 10. General principles and methods for species M. Fasham and S. Mustoe; 11. Fungi R. Watling, M. Fasham and D. Dobson; 12. Lichens S. Davey, M. Fasham and D. Dobson; 13. Bryophytes G. Rothero, D. Dobson and M. Fasham; 14. Aquatic macrophytes and algae N. Stewart and M. Wade; 15. Vascular plants T. Rich, V. Hack and F. McMeechan; 16. Dragonflies and damselflies C. Plant, R. Sands and M. Fasham; 17. Butterflies C. Plant, R. Sands and M. Fasham; 18. Macromoths C. Plant, R. Sands and M. Fasham; 19. Other terrestrial invertebrates P. Dennis, C. Plant, R. Sands and M. Fasham; 20. Aquatic invertebrates P. Kerrison, T. Norman and M. Fasham; 21. Fish N. Giles, R. Sands and M. Fasham; 22. Amphibians D. Latham, E. Jones and M. Fasham; 23. Reptiles D. Latham, E. Jones and M. Fasham; 24. Birds S. Mustoe, D. Hill, D. Frost and G. Tucker; 25. Bats R. Stebbings, H. Mansfield and M. Fasham; 26. Other mammals A. Bennett, P. Ratcliffe, E. Jones, H. Mansfield and R. Sands; Acknowledgements; Glossary, Appendices; Recommended sources of further information; References; Index.

Biodiversity is recognised to be of global importance, yet species and habitats are under increasing pressure from human-induced influences. This Handbook will enable practitioners to plan and conduct a survey of any species or habitat and to evaluate the data so as to determine its local, national and international significance.

David Hill is Director of Ecology, RPS Group plc, UK.
Matthew Fasham is Principal Consultant, RPS Group plc, UK.
Graham Tucker is a freelance ecological consultant with Ecological Solutions, UK.
Michael Shewry is Environmental Statistician, Scottish Natural Heritage, UK.
Philp Shaw is Environmental Audit Officer, Scottish Natural Heritage, UK.