Portfolio https://www.esdm.co.uk/portfolio http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification mojoPortal Blog Module en-GB 120 no Deer Vehicle Collisions in Scotland Analysis th, td { padding-left: 20px; }

Deer are large animals that are a potential hazard to vehicles on the road. Each year in the UK alone, it is thought that over 700 people suffer injuries or fatalities and over £17 million is spent on vehicle repairs because of Deer Vehicle Collisions (DVCs). In Scotland, a combination of increasing deer populations, especially in the central belt, and a growth in traffic has led to an increase in DVCs.

Exegesis was awarded a contract to collect and analyse data on Deer Vehicle Collisions (DVCs) in Scotland between 2019 and 2021. This work involved obtaining DVC records from a variety of sources in the public, private and third sectors, collating it into a consistent database, and analysing the data to identify trends and highlight areas of concern. This continued work undertaken since 2008 that had established data collation, processing and analysis protocols.

Change in the average number of DVCs per kilometre of road per year between 2008 to 2017 and 2018 to 2021 for the entire road network, calculated using all DVC records. White cells represent the average change rather than zero change, red cells indicate an above average increase in the number of DVCs per kilometre of road per year, whilst green cells indicate a blow average change. © Crown copyright (and database rights) 2022.
Change in the average number of DVCs per kilometre of road per year between 2008 to 2017 and 2018 to 2021. © Crown copyright (and database rights) 2022.

We added 5,479 records of DVC incidents in Scotland, bringing the total in the database for 2008 to 2021 up to 22,753 records. These were analysed in detail and a full report produced. Key findings included:

  • Whilst there has been no recent significant increase in DVCs in Scotland overall, there has been a general increase in the central belt that has been offset by a decrease in northern Scotland (see map).
  • Dusk is the worst time for DVCs, especially in May and June when overall numbers of DVCs are higher. This information can be used to target mitigation activities.
  • There was no evidence of a decrease in DVC incidents resulting from travel restrictions introduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic (shown below). This contradicts claims of an anthropause where human impacts on wildlife were reduced. Nevertheless, the number of DVCs reported by members of the public, who would have been affected by the restrictions, were clearly suppressed. This suggests that freight traffic, which was largely unaffected by travel restrictions, was the cause of many DVCs during this time.
DVC frequency per week in 2020 (red line) and the average DVC frequency per week from 2015 to 2019 (blue line) from data not collected by volunteers. The start and end of the period where travel restrictions were enforced in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic is shown as vertical red lines. The two lines on the chart are almost identical, suggesting that the number of DVCs per week were not affected by lockdown
DVC frequency per week in 2020 and the average DVC frequency per week from 2015 to 2019. The start and end of the period where travel restrictions were enforced in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic is shown as vertical red lines.

We also developed a new approach to analysing DVC risk on sections of the trunk road network, by using a moving window algorithm to identify the parts of roads with the most DVCs. We identified the blackspots with the highest DVC risk from the results. Most of these proved to be junctions surrounded by woodland in the more urban central belt. We recommended actions to mitigate the risk at the 10 worst blackspots.

The report has been published by NatureScot. We also produced a short non-technical summary of the key results.

Further information from Mike Lush.


Mike Lush]]>
https://www.esdm.co.uk/deer-vehicle-collisions-analysis https://www.esdm.co.uk/deer-vehicle-collisions-analysis https://www.esdm.co.uk/deer-vehicle-collisions-analysis Mon, 25 Jul 2022 15:57:00 GMT
Wood-pasture and parkland data analysis Natural England asked us to answer a simple question: can wood-pasture and parkland quality be predicted?

The surprising answer is 'probably yes'.

We identified the Saproxylic Quality Index (SQI) as the best available measure of quality, as it was felt that a site's saproxylic (wood decay) beetle fauna would be a good surrogate of wider wood decay habitat quality, which is one of the most important elements of wood pasture and parkland. We combined available SQI scores with the wood-pasture and parkland inventory we had previously created for Natural England to create a sample dataset of 98 sites. We then analysed the sample data against other available data, including tree records from the Ancient Tree Hunt, geography, climate, designations and habitat networks using PostGIS and multiple regression analysis in the statistical package R. The models produced were refined to identify the model best able to predict wood-pasture and parkland quality.

Eleven site attributes were included in the final model for predicting SQI score. Sites in the south east and lowland sites tended to have higher scores, suggesting that warmer and less exposed sites were better for saproxylic beetles. Unsurprisingly sites with higher numbers and densities of veteran or ancient trees also tended to have higher scores, owing to the increased volume of wood decay habitat present.Sites that were in a landscape with other wood-pasture and parkland were also found to have higher SQI scores.

Predicting wood-pasture and parkland quality - predicted vs actual Saproxylic Quality Index scoresThe best model proved to be remarkably good at predicting the SQI score of the sample. It suggested that sites with a predicted score of 600 or more were likely to have an actual score of at least 400 - itself quite a high score. This suggests that if the model were applied to the wider wood-pasture and parkland inventory it could be used to predict SQI scores and identify sites that could be targeted for survey.

However, this was a proof of concept study, so the model needs more work before we can conclusively state that wood-pasture and parkland quality can be predicted. This includes further refinements to identify attributes that help predict quality. It then needs to be tested to determine how well it predicts SQI scores for sites that were not part of the sample. We hope to be able to continue this work, as we believe the improved model could be very valuable for targeting entomological survey effort.

Further information from Mike Lush.


Mike Lush]]>
https://www.esdm.co.uk/wood-pasture-and-parkland-data-analysis https://www.esdm.co.uk/wood-pasture-and-parkland-data-analysis https://www.esdm.co.uk/wood-pasture-and-parkland-data-analysis Mon, 04 Apr 2016 10:34:00 GMT
Definition and mapping of open mosaic habitats on previously developed land: phase 2 testing methods and developing the habitat inventory Open Mosaic Habitats on Previously Developed Land (OMH) are found mainly in urban and formerly industrial areas and have high biodiversity value. This value includes rare plants, mosses, lichens and a large number of rare invertebrates, especially bees, wasps and beetles. Between 12% and 15% of all nationally-rare and nationally-scarce insects are recorded from OMH sites. One of the other key features of OMH is the unusual groups of plants present; combinations which are often unique to OMH and currently little studied.

Because of the biodiversity importance of OMH the habitat was identified as a Biodiversity Action Plan habitat in 2007. However, such sites are threatened by redevelopment (due to their usual status as brownfield sites), inappropriate ‘restoration’, inappropriate management or natural succession. There is very little knowledge of the distribution of OMH, as there is no data that identifies OMH sites at a national level.

Cefn Garnyrerw coal spoil tip

exeGesIS were awarded this project in 2011, which has increased understanding of OMH in England and Wales by identifying the key features that are found within such habitats and enhancing knowledge of the distribution of such sites. This involved the development of a new survey methodology and a survey of 98 survey sites to identify OMH habitat, as well as a survey of invertebrates on 50 of the sites - the largest single survey of its kind in the UK. These surveys provided invaluable information on the importance of OMH sites to conservation and the recognition of important sites remotely and in the field.

The results of this work were:

  • A handbook for the identification and survey of OMH sites.
  • A provisional national inventory of OMH sites in England and Wales, along with an inventory data capture rule base.
  • An integrated OMH survey website, including a map of OMH sites and survey data entry forms.
  • Field survey data supplied to the NBN Gateway.

Further information from Mike Lush.


Mike Lush]]>
https://www.esdm.co.uk/definition-and-mapping-of-open-mosaic-habitats-on-previously-developed-land-phase-2-testing-methods-and-developing-the-habitat-inventory https://www.esdm.co.uk/definition-and-mapping-of-open-mosaic-habitats-on-previously-developed-land-phase-2-testing-methods-and-developing-the-habitat-inventory https://www.esdm.co.uk/definition-and-mapping-of-open-mosaic-habitats-on-previously-developed-land-phase-2-testing-methods-and-developing-the-habitat-inventory Wed, 24 Apr 2013 23:00:00 GMT
Powys Annual BVPI Survey Powys Footpath with Fingerpost SignAs part of their annual maintenance scheme Powys County Council requires a condition survey carried out on a 5% sample of the Rights of Way network, in line with established BVPI (best value performance indicator) standards.

exeGesIS has worked closely with Powys County Council over several years to provide this service. The process involves analysis of the current network’s state to create a 5% sample, preparation and organisation pre-survey plus supplying and supporting the surveyors whilst they are out in the field.

A 5% sample of the Powys Path Network is approximately 420km. exeGesIS surveyors complete this within a few weeks. The data is then processed and imported back into the PCC CAMS and reports are provided to indicate the condition of the network. 

For more information, please contact Simon Allen or Timothy Derbyshire


Richard Coppock]]>
https://www.esdm.co.uk/powys-bvpi-survey https://www.esdm.co.uk/powys-bvpi-survey https://www.esdm.co.uk/powys-bvpi-survey Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:19:00 GMT
Ceredigion Annual BVPI Survey Following the successful survey’s completed on the behalf of Powys County Council, exeGesIS entered into a similar survey project with Ceredigion County Council.

In keeping with established BVPI standards, exeGesIS worked with a team at Ceredigion to analyse and create a 5% sample of the Rights of Way network. A straightforward task when completed within CAMS.

After establishing a sample of approximately 130km in length, exeGesIS provided professional surveyors and completed the fieldwork promptly.

Post survey, exeGesIS analysed the condition data and produced reports to help Ceredigion prioritise their tasks and structure a workplan for the following year.

The raw survey data was also returned to the Ceredigion Rights of Way team and imported into their live CAMS. This allowed them to get up-to-date summaries about any furniture with poor condition or outstanding problems within the network they needed to respond to.

For more information, please contact Simon Allen or Timothy Derbyshire


Richard Coppock]]>
https://www.esdm.co.uk/ceredigion-annual-bvpi-survey https://www.esdm.co.uk/ceredigion-annual-bvpi-survey https://www.esdm.co.uk/ceredigion-annual-bvpi-survey Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:37:00 GMT
Establishing the condition and monitoring baseline for non-SSSI Broad, Priority and Annex 1 Woodland Habitats in England and Wales In 2010 exeGesIS was awarded this high-profile two-year contract to develop a condition monitoring methodology for non-statutory woodlands. The long-term aim of this project was to gain an insight into and monitor woodland condition in non-statutory sites. The project had three key strands:

  • The development of a survey methodology that can rapidly and effectively assess the status and condition of non-statutory woodland habitats in England and Wales.
  • The development of a sampling strategy, to identify a representative sample of woodland sites upon which to test the survey methodology.
  • An assessment of landscape change in woodland cover in the immediate vicinity of the survey sites, making use of modern aerial photographs and historic data.

The survey methodology was tested on 100 sample sites spread across England and Wales and from a range of size classes. The main outputs from the work were a woodland condition assessment manual along with a bespoke survey database, a full project report and baseline data on the condition of non-statutory woodlands in England and Wales. The report included an extensive regression analysis of woodland attributes against condition, which enabled surrogates for favourable condition to be suggested.

The project report and woodland survey methodology can be downloaded from Defra's website. Further information from Mike Lush.


Mike Lush]]>
https://www.esdm.co.uk/establishing-the-condition-and-monitoring-baseline-for-non-sssi-broad-priority-and-annex-1-woodland-habitats-in-england-and-wales https://www.esdm.co.uk/establishing-the-condition-and-monitoring-baseline-for-non-sssi-broad-priority-and-annex-1-woodland-habitats-in-england-and-wales https://www.esdm.co.uk/establishing-the-condition-and-monitoring-baseline-for-non-sssi-broad-priority-and-annex-1-woodland-habitats-in-england-and-wales Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:00:00 GMT
RCT Rights of Way Definitive Map Update Various datasets relating to the rights of way management in Rhondda Cynnon Taf had fallen out of date, and exeGesIS was asked to assist Rhondda Cynnon Taf County Borough Council with the task of updating and correcting this information, using data from multiple sources to do so.

The data included Path Order Plans, the original Definitive Maps for Rhondda, Cynnon & Taf Ely, OS County Series maps and the Definitive Statements for the paths, as well as modern digital mapping such as the Ordnance Survey MasterMap data.

The first stage of the project was to scan and register the Definitive Map sheets and the Order Plans so that the base mapping could be compared to MasterMap. Direct tracing of the routes from the Definitive map scans was not practical, as many of the original Definitive Maps were of too small a scale, so the maps had to be interpreted by the digitisers to plot the routes against the MasterMap cartography.

Next, the changes made by the Orders had to be applied to the digitised network to bring it up to date. This included several large orders that came into force when major new roads were built, as well as smaller scale orders. The result from this was a digitised network which accurately reflected the Definitive Maps, as amended by all the subsequent Orders.

As part of the process, anomalies that could not be corrected were highlighted to the officers at RCT. These included things like developments built across the Rights of Way of which the authority had not been informed.

There was another strand to this project, which was to integrate the Definitive Statements and the scanned Orders with the authority’s CAMS. This involved passing the statements through Optical Character Recognition, and importing the checked text into the CAMS database. The scanned Order files were linked to the relevant CAMS records via LibraryLink

This project gave the RoW team at RCT an accurate, up to date digital mapping layer of their rights of way that was loaded into their CAMS solution. This was combined with integrated Orders and Statements so that all the legal information for their Rights of Way was available in one place.


Richard Coppock]]>
https://www.esdm.co.uk/rct-rights-of-way-definitive-map-update https://www.esdm.co.uk/rct-rights-of-way-definitive-map-update https://www.esdm.co.uk/rct-rights-of-way-definitive-map-update Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:42:00 GMT