Ecological surveys encompass different assessments. The most basic one is the Ecological Scoping Surveys down to the most intensive assessments like the River Corridor, Invasive Plant Species, National Vegetation Classification or the NVC, Ecological Assessments, and more. Presently, the most common assessment that is widely used is the Phase 1 Habitat Survey. It involves the identification and mapping of property land area of wildlife habitats.
In this article, we’ll tackle more on the ecological assessment of Phase 1 Habitat Survey. We will discuss the step-by-step process of undertaking it, its benefits, and tips on how to find the right ecological consultant for you.
Process of Phase 1 Habitat Survey
Phase 1 Habitat Survey is commonly called as Eco Phase 1, Habitat Survey, or Wildlife Survey. The preliminaries of the process include recording the “target notes” to identify whether the habitat is important to be studied. Target notes include the presence of rare animals or plants, roosting sites, or ancient hedgerows in the site. After completing the identification of target notes, mapping follows. This now involves careful detailing of important site components and significant habitat types in the area.
Its Benefits
Phase 1 allows you to gather information on the early stage of your study. This, then, is beneficial in saving you time and effort since you already established the base information of your study. Also, it helps you set the schedule since you can now identify the seasonal constraints and live vegetations in the future.
Finding the Best Consultant
Finding the right ecology consultant is also vital to the success of your survey. To do that, you should first find a company or firm that’s experienced in Habitat Surveys. Here are some of the criteria to follow:
- They should have expertise in any site regardless of different ecological characteristics.
- They must perform the service in varying season and time of your survey.
Your consultant should also be capable of suggesting possible risks or issues that you should be aware of; and tips on solving these issues. They should get a grasp of what your study is about and provide fresh ideas in your framework.
Lastly, your consultant should know the importance of doing ecological surveys. They should know that the study is being undertaken to educate readers about wildlife habitats. If your consultant completes the above qualities, then you found the right one.