About this unit

This unit is about undertaking survey work and reporting on the findings of such surveys. The term ‘survey’ is open to broad interpretation because of the wide range of surveys that may be carried out in different contexts using a range of survey techniques. For this unit, the surveys are likely to be of equivalent complexity to National Vegetation Classification, Phase Two Habitat Survey, British Trust for Ornithology Breeding Bird census, Monkswood Butterfly transects, Environment Agency River Corridor or Joint Nature Conservancy Committee Intertidal surveys.

Surveys may be of the following subjects: landscape features, flora and fauna, different habitat types, historical and archaeological features, and human impact on the environment. Survey techniques include counting, sampling and mapping.

You are expected to carry out these activities with a high degree of personal autonomy. Not only are you expected to operate in a safe and effective way, but you will need to understand why such a survey is necessary and to recognise when assistance or further information is required. You must ensure that you seek appropriate permissions, consents and licences prior to carrying out surveys. Permissions may relate to access to sites or access to information. Consents and licences include those under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, and under other relevant legislation.  You are also expected to understand the differences between the terms ‘monitoring’, ‘surveillance’ and ‘survey’.

For the purposes of this unit, the following definition of survey should be applied:

Survey: Survey is a one-off activity to collect data for a prescribed purpose.
as opposed to:

Monitoring: Monitoring is making observations with sufficient precision to determine whether a required condition is being met. Or

Surveillance: Surveillance is a repeated survey to assess the condition of a site or feature on that site.

This unit is for all environmental conservation staff who are closely involved with the survey work of your organisation and have responsibility for planning, conducting and reporting on surveys.

» Element EC23.1 Prepare for field surveys

» Element EC23.2 Collect and record data through field surveys

» Element EC23.3 Interpret survey data and report on findings

Element EC23.1 Prepare for field surveys

What you must be able to do:

1. identify any existing data relevant to the survey and secure access to that data
2. identify survey methodology, sources of data and legislative requirements in accordance with the survey specification
3. select appropriate survey techniques in accordance with the survey objectives
4. ensure that your selected survey techniques are legal, safe and within time and resource constraints
5. identify and obtain any necessary permissions, consents and licences
6. secure and check all necessary survey equipment
7. explicitly specify responsibilities for carrying out the survey, select people who are competent to undertake the survey, and provide them with a thorough briefing
8. provide opportunities for clarification of the survey brief
9. ensure that your survey design provides for the storage of any confidential information in accordance with data protection legislation

This standard covers:

A. briefing:

• verbal
• written

B. data:

• primary
• secondary

What you must know and understand:

• types of data that will be relevant to the survey
• potential sources of data, their advantages and disadvantages and principles of use
• where and how to obtain additional data relevant to the survey
• organisational requirements concerning the types of survey adopted
• your responsibilities under the appropriate health and safety legislation
• range of survey techniques available, their advantages and disadvantages and principles of use
• circumstances in which permission, consent or licences are required for survey activities and the means of obtaining them
• types, and correct use, of survey equipment
• the roles and responsibilities of individual team members; the importance of clear and thorough briefing
• effective means of storing the data to be collected

Element EC23.2 Collect and record data through field surveys

What you must be able to do:

1. collect all data using the correct survey techniques and ensure that the data is accurate to the level required in the survey specification
2. record all data legibly, fully and in the format specified
3. take prompt appropriate action in cases where data cannot be obtained in accordance with the specification
4. take note of any data not covered by the specification, but potentially relevant to the survey, and report it to your line manager
5. carry out your survey activities are carried out in accordance with relevant legal and health and safety requirements
6. ensure that the effects of your work and access do not adversely affect the condition of survey sites
7. encourage any interested persons to ask questions or seek explanation, and provide them with appropriate information
8. produce proof of authority to conduct surveys on request

This standard covers:

A. use a nationally recognised survey methodology.

B. the following types of data:

• qualitative
• quantitative

C. the following sources of data:

• primary
• secondary

What you must know and understand:

• range of techniques available for surveys of landscapes features, flora and fauna, different habitat types, historical features, impact of humans on the environment
• recognition of landscapes features, flora and fauna, different habitat types, historical features, impact of humans on the environment (in accordance with the nature and objectives of the survey undertaken)
• effective techniques for recording survey data
• ways in which survey recording requirements vary according to the nature and objectives of the survey
• action in cases where the required data cannot be collected
• type of data which is relevant to the survey but not covered by the design
• your responsibilities under Health and Safety and other relevant legislation
• actions to take in case of incidental damage or disturbance to habitat, wildlife or landscape
• ways in which people can be encouraged to ask questions
• the importance of providing proof of authority

Element EC23.3 Interpret survey data and report on findings

What you must be able to do:

1. ensure that your evaluation is appropriate to the objectives of the survey and meets operational requirements
2. interpret survey data using all available, relevant and current information
3. note any failure in the analysis to obtain useful results, and inform the appropriate person promptly
4. justify your interpretation of survey data using rational argument and supporting evidence
5. seek feedback on survey interpretations prior to a final report being produced
6. ensure that your report is accurate, complete and in a format conforming with the survey specification
7. ensure that your report contains the required supporting data in accordance with the survey specification
8. ensure that your report presents information and conclusions in a manner which is accessible and of use to others
9. make the report available to the appropriate people within the required timescale
10. reply to requests for further clarification and explanation of the report clearly and accurately within the specified timescale
11. maintain confidentiality of information in accordance with the survey specification

This standard covers:

A. data:

• qualitative
• quantitative

B. data:

• primary
• secondary

What you must know and understand:

• techniques for data evaluation and their application in different circumstances
• awareness of the limitations of different data sources
• awareness of the limitations of different interpretation and evaluation methods
• actions to be taken in cases where useful survey results are not obtained
• legal implications of the report findings
• means of obtaining feedback on the interpretation of survey data
• appropriate people to receive copies of the report
• ways of presenting information clearly and in a manner appropriate to the intended user
• how to present data to support the report
• timescales within which reporting must take place and reasons for this
• means of obtaining and handling feedback from the recipients of the report
• awareness of the confidentiality and sensitivity of information

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