Projects

Upland vegetation survey and habitat assessment for management planning

In relation to facilitating the management of semi-natural vegetation, we undertake resource assessments to provide objective data on the condition of rangeland for government agencies, Deer Management Groups and private landowners. We have devised and tested a range of sampling strategies, based on a combination of sampling and prediction using existing land cover datasets, to enable cost-effective surveys to be devised and carried out for any given area. We are leading experts in the field of impact assessment and the sustainable management of upland habitats.

Recent impact assessment projects:

Rapid assessment of grazing and trampling impacts on upland habitats for Deer Management Groups, 1998-2003.
Six Deer Management Group areas were surveyed in the initial development of a combined sampling and predictive approach to assess impacts over extensive areas. Following this development stage, impact assessments have been successfully carried out for a further seven Deer Management Group areas and a number of individual estates to facilitate the development of Deer Management Plans, based on the principle of sustainable resource use.

Impact assessment and comparison of changes, 1995/6-2001, Mar Lodge Estate.
An assessment of grazing and trampling impacts on 340 ¼ sq km sample areas, Mar Lodge Estate, was carried out in 2001 and compared to the baseline recorded in 1995/6. Impact maps for the principal habitat types of dwarf-shrub heath, wind-clipped heath, blanket bog and grassland were produced, showing the degree of change between the two recording periods. This was carried out to assist in deer management planning and culling in relation to targets for woodland regeneration and natural heritage management.

Deer Management Groups: Operation and Good Practice.
This project was commissioned by the Deer Commission for Scotland (2001-2002) to review the current status and activities of Deer Management Groups, notably in relation to deer management planning. It was carried out by questionnaire survey, interviews and a review of the current range of activities of DMGs in relation to their aims and objectives and led to the development of a draft Guide to Good Practice on the roles and operation of Deer Management Groups.

Corrour Estate: assessment of grazing and trampling impacts and options for future sustainable management.
An assessment of the current status of the semi-natural vegetation resource was carried out in 1999, along with modelling to explore a range of options for future use of the estate within the context of sustainable management of resources. A number of options were presented and recommendations made about monitoring and future work.