Specialist Vegetation Surveys

In some situations a more detailed vegetation survey is required than is provided by a PEA. National Vegetation Classification (NVC) surveys and Hedgerow surveys are the most common more detailed surveys carried out by NewWays Ecology. The following additional vegetation surveys can also be carried out:

• Rare Plant surveys

• Lower plant surveys including bryophytes and lichens

NVC Surveys

The National Vegetation Classification (NVC) is a system of classifying natural habitat types in the UK according to the botanical species they contain and is a standardised method allowing assessment of the character and value of plant communities.  NVC surveys gather information used by quadrat sampling, this will give descriptions of the plant communities present and their relative importance.

NVC surveys may be required when certain habitats have been highlighted, within a proposed development site, as being of high potential conservation importance, and confirmation of their status required.  The NVC survey and subsequent map will therefore identify which areas of plant interest should be avoided, or translocated via a habitat translocation scheme, as part of the development process. In addition to aiding development proposals the NVC is also used for site monitoring, developing conservation management plans and designating sites of conservation importance (e.g. Sites of Special Scientific Interest).

Hedgerow Surveys

A survey should be carried out by an ecologist if a section of hedgerow needs to be removed. The Hedgerow survey handbook sets out a standardised method for assessing the condition of hedgerows. Hedgerows are a protected habitat under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and it it important to determine if a hedgerow meets the criteria of an “important” hedgerow within the hedgerow regulations.

During a hedgerow survey at least one 30m section of hedge will be assessed for species present and condition