Barn Owl Survey

We have a large team of ecologists, many of whom have significant experience of freshwater ecological assessment for development as well as conservation led projects.

We have project experience of the following field survey work that is of particular relevance to projects with freshwater habitats:

• Targeted survey, covering (as necessary) all key groups of aquatic invertebrates using a full range of survey methods including direct searching, netting, and kick sampling;
• Survey and identification of macrophytes including specialist groups such as stoneworts for which Special Areas of Conservation are designated and Phase 3 surveys of individual plant species;
• Surveys of protected or otherwise notable species associated with freshwater habitats (e.g. white-clawed crayfish, Desmoulin’s whorl snail, lesser silver water beetle, great crested newt, otter and water vole ) or communities (e.g. pond invertebrates);
• Assessment of biological water quality of ponds, lakes, streams and rivers, using freshwater invertebrates as indicators of ecosystem health.

The aquatic ecology services we offer include:

• Water Framework Directive Assessments including geomorphology, macrophyte and fisheries surveys, desk study assessments, data analysis and interpretation;
• Aquatic habitat assessments using River Habitat Survey and River Corridor Survey methods, delivered by accredited staff;
• Bespoke and Water Framework Directive compliant macroinvertebrate surveys of still and running water habitats, including identification of major aquatic macroinvertebrate groups to family or species level;
• Analysis of data using industry-standard indices, such as RICT1 and BMWP/ASPT2for running water and PSYM3 for ponds;
• External audit of invertebrate samples following our in-house analytical quality control systems;
• Design and implementation of water quality, phytoplankton, zooplankton, phytobenthos and sediment assessment surveys; and analysis of samples (using external laboratories).
• Advice on short and long-term water quality management;
• Advice on river, lake and pond restoration, and the control and management of undesirable algal blooms;
• Survey and translocation of protected species carried out by ecologists licensed by the appropriate statutory nature conservation organisation.

1 River Invertebrate Classification Tool

2 Biological Monitoring Working Party Index / Average Score Per Taxon

3 Predictive System for Multimetrics