Extended Habitat Surveys
Survey Overview
An Extended Habitat Survey provides a standard record of habitats and ecological features on a site. It is a key appraisal tool required for most planning applications, and often helps to determine the need for any protected species surveys. It is also required to determine the baseline biodiversity value of the site to inform biodiversity net gain requirements.
Survey Methodology
A daytime walkover of the site will be undertaken and all land parcels within the site boundary will be identified, mapped and photographed.
A description of each habitat including an assessment of habitat condition and a list of plant species and their distribution with reference to the DAFOR scale (D = Dominant; A = Abundant, F = Frequent, O = Occasional, R = Rare) will be compiled.
Target notes will be used to identify specific ecological features, where appropriate.
Where present and identifiable, protected or invasive non-native plant species listed under Schedules 8 and 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 respectively, will be recorded.
A scoping assessment will also be undertaken for protected and notable fauna including, but not limited to, amphibians, reptiles, badgers Meles meles, bats, birds, hazel dormice Muscardinus avellanarius, otter Lutra lutra and water vole Arvicola amphibius. This will identify habitats or features which could be suitable for use by these species for behaviours such as breeding, hibernation, shelter and foraging. Field signs, indicating the presence of these species, will also be recorded, where present.
Key Survey Considerations
The optimal period for extended habitat surveys is April to October, when plants are more visible and habitats can be classified accurately.
For some sites it may be possible to complete extended habitat surveys during the sub-optimal period though this may depend upon the usage of the site and the types of habitats present as well as climatic conditions.
Additional Requirements
An extended habitat survey is the first stage of the habitat survey process and may lead to the requirement for more detailed surveys such as hedgerow, National Vegetation Classification (NVC) or botanical surveys to classify habitats accurately or to identify the presence of protected or non-native invasive plant species.
Further Information
The survey will be undertaken in accordance with the following publication:
- UKHab Ltd (2023). UK Habitat Classification Version 2.0.