Portfolio https://www.esdm.co.uk/portfolio http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification mojoPortal Blog Module en-GB 120 no Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Project: Developing Community Action - Review of Data Management Processes Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels online website dashboardExegesis was contracted to review the data management processes used by the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) project. The aim of this review was to identify any problems or limitations, and to provide recommendations for improving the data capture and management processes.

The review was conducted by attending a remote briefing, SSRS staff interviews, analysing all datasets, and discussing future requirements with SSRS staff and external contractors. The information gathered was critically assessed and weaknesses identified. The main issues were accounted in a report. The recommendations were made to ensure that the future requirements of the project could be met.

As part of this project, we also wrote a specification for an online Community Hub. This detailed functional and non-functional requirements, including the user journey, volunteer pages, forums, data entry, sightings pages, data download and summary dashboard. Implementation options and time estimates were provided.

Further information from Andy Brewer.


Mike Lush]]>
https://www.esdm.co.uk/saving-scotland’s-red-squirrels-project-developing-community-action-review-of-data-management-processes https://www.esdm.co.uk/saving-scotland’s-red-squirrels-project-developing-community-action-review-of-data-management-processes https://www.esdm.co.uk/saving-scotland’s-red-squirrels-project-developing-community-action-review-of-data-management-processes Fri, 09 Dec 2016 00:00:00 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
QGIS Suitability Assessment JNCC Quantum GIS QGIS suitability assessmentJNCC were considering switching from ESRI ArcGIS, which they had used for a number of years, to QGIS. Exegesis were commissioned to undertake an expert review comparing the functionality available in ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced, Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst with that in QGIS, to determine whether QGIS met JNCC’s data management requirements. This involved a review of nearly 1,000 items of functionality in ArcGIS and its extensions to ascertain whether it occurred in QGIS or its plugins, or other open source GIS that were closely integrated into QGIS, such as GRASS and SAGA.

The two GIS were not always completely comparable, so notes were made on many of the items of functionality to give a more nuanced assessment. These notes covered those instances where no direct comparison was possible, where functions behaved subtly differently, where almost identical results could be obtained through different means and where ArcGIS specific concepts applied that were not replicated in any other GIS. QGIS lacked some advanced functionality required by JNCC, but it would be possible to develop much of this for QGIS. The lack of QGIS support for the ESRI map document (mxd) format was a particular issue, as JNCC required these for sharing data with partner organisations, but since the format is proprietary it would not be possible to develop this functionality.

We also assessed any changes to JNCC’s IT infrastructure required as a result of implementing QGIS, as well as the associated costs. There were no obvious issues with delivering QGIS via their existing Citrix system, though this was not tested. Whilst QGIS is open source, leading to significant reductions in licensing and annual maintenance costs, this needed to be balanced by the loss of functionality not available in QGIS, the lack of support and the need to retrain staff. The assessment suggested that whilst it would certainly be possible to implement QGIS within JNCC, ideally alongside a spatial database, with PostGIS offering the best QGIS integration, it would be necessary to retain at least some ArcGIS licences to ensure that some required functionality remained available.

Read the report.

Further information from Mike Lush.


Mike Lush]]>
https://www.esdm.co.uk/qgis-suitability-assessment https://www.esdm.co.uk/qgis-suitability-assessment https://www.esdm.co.uk/qgis-suitability-assessment Mon, 04 Apr 2016 10:03:00 GMT
The Long Forest The Long Forest project: Spindle Euonymus europaeus berries, a frequent hedgerow plantThe Long Forest project is a community engagement project that aims to safeguard Welsh hedgerows. It is a collaboration between Keep Wales Tidy and the Woodland Trust, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Exegesis were contracted to undertake part of the Development Phase of the project, the work being split into two parts.

The first part was a review of the available historic and cultural data, along with options for using them and the opportunities for public engagement in this area. We contacted a number of potential data holders by phone and email to discuss the data they held and how it could be used within the Long Forest project. Much of this information was only available in non-digital formats, but we identified several potentially very useful digital datasets and the options for utilising them. We also considered the opportunities for engaging the public through historic and cultural data dissemination and collection.

The second part was a review of the available options for a website and mobile app. As the project was still in an early stage, the Long Forest project team had no preconceived ideas regarding these, so we were able to fully explore all the possibilities. This included practical considerations, such as which platforms to use, how to implement bilingual display and the use of social media, as well as specific functionality that the website and mobile app could have. Options included:

  • Crowd sourced mapping of extant and historic hedgerows
  • A hedgerow survey mobile app with an integrated plant identification tool and associated web-based survey management
  • Event management, covering everything from talks to practical hedgerow management sessions
  • The use of Quick Response (QR) codes placed around the countryside to alert mobile app users to features of interest and present them with relevant information
  • Games to engage the interest of all ages, some of which could also be used to generate useful data

Mock-ups were created for the crowdsourced mapping of hedgerows and the hedgerow survey app.

Further information from Mike Lush.


Mike Lush]]>
https://www.esdm.co.uk/the-long-forest https://www.esdm.co.uk/the-long-forest https://www.esdm.co.uk/the-long-forest Wed, 07 Oct 2015 08:59:00 GMT
Common cord-grass <i>Spartina anglica</i> and its management in estuarine Natura 2000 sites Distribution of common cord-grass Spartina anglica in EnglandCommon cord-grass Spartina anglica is a perennial grass found on mud deposits in saltmarshes. It originated as a hybrid of the native small cord-grass S. maritima and the North American species smooth cord-grass S. alterniflora, but became fertile and subsequently spread across the UK. It is now considered to be an endemic native in the UK, but may be non-native locally where it was planted to support coastal protection and land claim projects. It is also considered to have a detrimental impact on mudflat and saltmarsh biodiversity and processes, but detailed evidence of these impacts is limited.

Exegesis, working in partnership with NatureBureau, were contracted to undertake an EU LIFE+ supported review of S. anglica as part of Natural England's Improvement Programme for England’s Natura 2000 Sites.

S. anglica has been implicated in a number of impacts on saltmarsh habitats, including increased accretion rates, changed to erosion patterns, reductions in eelgrass Zostera beds and glasswort Salicornia communities, and reduction of areas suitable for bird feeding. We conducted a review of these impacts, which led us to conclude that the overall impact of S. anglica could not clearly be regarded as either positive or negative, as it is hard to separate the impacts caused by S. anglica from those resulting from other processes. For example, causal links between S. anglica and reduction in bird feeding areas were not identified. There is also evidence of S. anglica co-dominating with Salicornia in mixed communities where only S. anglica was known previously, possibly due to a decrease in accretion rates.

We collated recent survey data and species records to assess the extent and distribution of S. anglica. Unfortunately, due the limited coverage of recent survey data very few areas of S. anglica dominated communities could be identified, so the estimate of extent was considered to be a gross underestimate. Recommendations were made to gain a more complete knowledge of the extent of S. anglica using remote sensing and field survey. In contrast, data showing the distribution of S. anglica were more readily available than previously, allowing detailed distribution maps to be created. These showed that the distribution of S. anglica appears to have been relatively stable, having changed little since 1970.

We developed a S. anglica monitoring protocol that aimed to collect information that could be used to determine the extent of S. anglica and to help decide whether management was required. Draft survey forms were tested on sites in the Severn Estuary, Essex coast and North Northumberland Coast, following which improvements were made.

A review of S. anglica control techniques was undertaken, covering physical removal, cutting, grazing, smothering, rotoburying, treatment with herbicides and biological control. This allowed the most effective methods of controlling S. anglica to be identified, but it was noted that any control should be undertaken cautiously and based upon sound evidence, as its removal was likely to result in sediment discharge and potential impacts on designated features. A management decision flow chart was created that aims to help managers of Natura 2000 sites decide where management is most appropriate.

Read the report.

We subsequently undertook a similar review of common cord-grass in Ireland.

Further information from Mike Lush.


Mike Lush]]>
https://www.esdm.co.uk/common-cord-grass-ispartina-anglicai-and-its-management-in-estuarine-natura-2000-sites https://www.esdm.co.uk/common-cord-grass-ispartina-anglicai-and-its-management-in-estuarine-natura-2000-sites https://www.esdm.co.uk/common-cord-grass-ispartina-anglicai-and-its-management-in-estuarine-natura-2000-sites Mon, 06 Oct 2014 10:27:00 GMT
Options for an inventory of Annex I habitats Part of a prototype Annex 1 inventory exampleNatural England requires information on the distribution and extent of habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive to assist with reporting under Article 17 of the Directive. In order to meet this requirement, they contracted Exegesis to scope the options for producing an inventory of Annex I habitats for England. This involved a review of habitat mapping activities occurring in other European Union countries and data sources that could be used in England, along with the creation of prototype inventories.

The review of other habitat mapping activities highlighted the range of approaches in use, including the incorporation of existing data, remote sensing and field survey. These approaches were summarised to form a list of possible options for inventory creation, from which a preferred approach was selected based upon the options available and some innovation where solutions more appropriate to England were required.

The prototype inventories were created based upon data already available to Natural England. These covered the whole of England for all 64 terrestrial, freshwater and coastal Annex I habitats. The presence of Annex I habitat was identified based upon existing habitat data, automatically searching for habitat codes that correspond to each Annex I habitat. Coverage, gaps and confidence was assessed for each source dataset and resulting inventory.

Further information from Mike Lush.


Mike Lush]]>
https://www.esdm.co.uk/options-for-an-inventory-of-annex-i-habitats https://www.esdm.co.uk/options-for-an-inventory-of-annex-i-habitats https://www.esdm.co.uk/options-for-an-inventory-of-annex-i-habitats Mon, 31 Mar 2014 10:32:00 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
Mobilisation of species distribution and population data to support UK Habitats Directive (Article 17) reporting Every six years, Member States of the European Union are required to report on implementation of the Habitats Directive (Article 17). This report covers the conservation measures undertaken and the resultant conservation status of the species and habitats listed in the Annexes of the Directive.Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia. © M. J. Lush

JNCC commissioned Exegesis to investigate and mobilise the available data on the 120 species covered by the Annexes, in preparation for the third report, due in June 2013. These data were sought from third-party data holders, initially determining the data that exists and then working towards mobilising it on the NBN Gateway so that it could be used for reporting. Mobilising the data also involved validating and preparing the data for submission where required.

Further information from Mike Lush.


Mike Lush]]>
https://www.esdm.co.uk/mobilisation-of-species-distribution-and-population-data-to-support-uk-habitats-directive-article-17-reporting https://www.esdm.co.uk/mobilisation-of-species-distribution-and-population-data-to-support-uk-habitats-directive-article-17-reporting https://www.esdm.co.uk/mobilisation-of-species-distribution-and-population-data-to-support-uk-habitats-directive-article-17-reporting Sun, 14 Oct 2012 23:00:00 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
Feasibility study for the development of a Connectivity Assessment Tool for Kent and Nord-Pas de Calais Kent County Council and Nord-Pas de Calais were working on a project that aimed to set up cross-border tools and methods to assess and monitor biodiversity, and to improve the way that habitats and species are mapped in both regions. exeGesIS were contracted to undertake a feasibility study on the development of a tool to assess functional ecological connectivity. This involved an assessment of user needs, a review of the available methods and approaches, a stakeholder workshop to identify the preferred options and the development of a functional specification.

The assessment of user needs involved a workshop with the project steering group and a questionnaire to wider stakeholders that aimed to explore the requirements for the tool. This guided the review of approaches and the most appropriate options were presented to the stakeholders at a workshop. Stakeholders were then asked to vote for the preferred options, the results of which were used to write a functional specification for the tool.

Further information from Mike Lush.


Mike Lush]]>
https://www.esdm.co.uk/feasibility-study-for-the-development-of-a-connectivity-assessment-tool-for-kent-and-nord-pas-de-calais https://www.esdm.co.uk/feasibility-study-for-the-development-of-a-connectivity-assessment-tool-for-kent-and-nord-pas-de-calais https://www.esdm.co.uk/feasibility-study-for-the-development-of-a-connectivity-assessment-tool-for-kent-and-nord-pas-de-calais Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT
Production of a Local Record Centre (LRC) IT development plan Hampshire’s natural heritage embraces a rich diversity of habitats and species, many of which are listed in the UK and Hampshire Biodiversity Action Plans. Information on these habitats and species are held in a variety of formats by an equally diverse range of organisations and individuals, much of it inaccessible to the residents of Hampshire and beyond. The Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre Partnership wanted to mobilise this information and make it more widely available. It would also like to encourage greater participation in the recording of Hampshire’s wildlife and engage more people with biodiversity at a variety of levels.

The production of an IT development plan was required before a full bid could be made to the Heritage Grants Programme.

The work involved liaising with a wide range of contributors all with their own perspective and the production of a workable costed plan to a tight deadline.

Further information from Mike Lush.


Mike Lush]]>
https://www.esdm.co.uk/production-of-a-local-record-centre-lrc-it-development-plan https://www.esdm.co.uk/production-of-a-local-record-centre-lrc-it-development-plan https://www.esdm.co.uk/production-of-a-local-record-centre-lrc-it-development-plan Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT