Online Training Materials 1:Introduction to the NPMS and Survey Methodology
www.NPMS.org.uk Email: [email protected]
Rachel Murphy (NPMS Volunteer Manager) May 2020
1
Outline
• Background to the NPMS and data uses
• Getting started with the NPMS
• Survey method
Plot selection
NPMS habitats
Recording plant data
Other info to record
• Survey materials and setting up
• Volunteer support
•Any questions
Rachel Murphy May 2020 2
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Project partners:
Scheme co-developed between the expert partners along with volunteers on the ground Inclusive trial phase with contributors and volunteers from a variety of backgrounds and
experiences Important that the scheme is accessible and inclusive while maintaining robust and
standardised methodology and data standards
3Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
NPMS provides an indication of changes in plant diversity
and abundance, across the UK’s habitats, through time.
• Long-standing schemes for monitoring populations of
birds, bats and butterflies but previously not for plants.
• Crucial to have a better understanding of plant
populations.
• Need for large coverage and systematic approach –
otherwise there is potential to mask trends and weaken
signals
A brief history:
2012 – The four partners came together
2014 – Pilot run in conjunction with Wildflowers Count
2015 – The NPMS was launched
2020 – Celebrating 5 years of NPMS Data
Background:
4Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Why was the scheme established?A need – there was no robust national surveyNeed to include semi-natural habitat beyond protected sites in monitoring
What can the data tell us in the future? 1: Habitat inventories and remote sensing applications
To establish national trends
To monitor the impact of management
To support and enable improved reporting against stakeholder objectives and work plans.
To add value/augment other data sets
2: Investigating drivers of change using NPMS data (Climate change; Habitat management; Invasive species; Air pollution and eutrophication; Coastal management; Agri-environment stewardship; Pest and pathogens; Protected areas; Animal-plant interactions)
5Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
NPMS Species
NPMS broad habitats
Partners
Number of plots per square
Recording levels
Volunteers required
Visits each year
NPMS fine habitats408
52
3
2000
511
28
What’s in a number? (Just for fun)
Can you relate the numbers to the aspects of the scheme?
6Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
NPMS Species
NPMS broad habitats
Partners
Number of plots per square
Recording levels
Volunteers required
Visits each year
NPMS fine habitats
408
11
5
5
3
2000
2
28
What’s in a number? The Results!
Highlighting the input/effort put into a scheme of this scale
7Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
8Rachel Murphy May 2020
How are we doing so far?
• 1450 NPMS volunteers allocated a
survey square (1-5 squares each)
2000 NPMS squares required for
statistical power
• To date ~876 squares with
data returns
• >4,100 plots surveyed
Current coverage:
Orange = Allocated
Blue = Available
9Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Aims:
• Provide reliable measures of change for individual species and
species groups within semi-natural habitats.
• Utilise both positive and negative indicator species for each
habitat.
• Be simple, repeatable, and achievable by volunteers.
The basics:
• Randomly allocated 1 km square
• Establish 5 plots per square
• Plots should represent different NPMS habitats
• Record abundance indicator species & other background info
• Carry out the survey twice a year
(late spring/early summer and late summer)
10Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Celebrating 5 years of the NPMS:
https://www.npms.org.uk/blog/spring-has-sprung-how-are-our-wild-flora-responding-environmental-change
https://www.npms.org.uk/sites/default/files/PDF/NPMS_Understanding_Habitats_Web.pdf
11Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Getting started
1. Register online at www.npms.org.uk2. Request your 1 km square3. Receive your welcome pack
• Letter of allocation• Survey Guidance notes• Species Lists• Species ID guide• Recording forms• Map of your square
All pack materials are also available online
12Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Getting started
4. Contact landowner(s) to get permissions5. Reconnaissance visit to identify NPMS habitats and establish your plots6. Record your plot locations carefully and enter online so you can relocate them7. Agree survey dates with landowner as required
13Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
• Wildflower Level – 212 easily identifiablespecies, divided into lists applicable for habitats (~10-15 species per habitat)
• Indicator Level – an expanded list of 408 species, divided into groups applicable for habitats including some species which are more challenging to identify e.g. more grasses, sedges, ferns (~30 species per habitat)
• Inventory Level – designed for volunteers who are capable of recording all vascular plant species which they find in a habitat
Choose your survey level
Remember that not everything will be in flower
14Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Getting to know your survey square and plots:
• Habitat Map in your survey pack
• Ordinance survey map
• View your square on your NPMS account/ Google maps
• Review habitats
• Reccy/visit your site• Plan ahead
• Consider landmarks
• Consider land access and safety
• FAQs on our resources web page
15Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Recommended locations for square
plotsLinear plots: where
linear feature intersects a grid-line/boundary line
Selecting your plots
• Three 5x5 m plots (10x10m if in woodland)
• Two 1x25 m linear plots
• Where possible use pre-selected plot locations
• Only carry out surveys in NPMS habitats
• Ideally locate each plot in a different habitat
• If there is an accessible pond or flush,please include this
16Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Laying out your survey plot:
Square plot - 5x5m
Linear plot - 1x25m
Fill in your recording form for each plot
Linear plot - 1x15m(not always straight linei.e. river bank)
Linear habitat may be shorter than plot. Record complete length of linear feature.
17Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Hedgerows:
1 m out from hedgerow centre, or the outer 1 m section of the hedgerow (including ground flora)
Specific instructions on linear plots:
18Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
NPMS habitats:
19Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Floras:
Web Resources:
Training:
ID support
20Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Plot set up
• Use fixed landmarks
•Temporary markers
(leave nothing)
• Record GPS
• Plot sketch
• Written description
• Annual photograph from
same point/angle
Important to find same
location in subsequent years
Tim Purchess
21
Filling out your recording forms:P1
Key to fill clearly every visit
Can change between visits
Vegetation height categories
22Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Filling out your recording forms:P2
Assessing abundance using DOMIN scale
Plot Sketches and photos – every visit
23Rachel Murphy May 2020
Score: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
% Cover:
<1 <1 1-4 5-10 11-25 26-33 34-50 51-75 76-90 91-100
• <1% and only 1-2 individuals = score of 1• <1% but several individuals = score of 2• If species are scattered try to imagine them clustered in a corner – how many 50x50cm squares they would occupy, including their leaves
Square plot - 5x5m
50x50cm square = 1% of a 5x5m square plot
Assessing abundance using DOMIN scale
24Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Additional survey information
• Slope aspect and steepness
• Management description
• Grazing
• How wooded the plot is
• Vegetation height (excluding woodland canopy)
25Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Vegetation height
What proportion of the vegetation is:
<10 cm11-30 cm31-100 cm101-300 cm>300 cm
Use a scale of 1-3:1 = less than one third of area2 = one to two thirds of area 3 = more than two thirds of area)
26Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Additional survey information
• Slope aspect and steepness
• Management description
• Grazing
• How wooded the plot is
• Vegetation height (excluding woodland canopy)
• DOMIN scale for bare soil, rock/gravel, litter,
mosses and lichens
27Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Equipment list: In the Field
- Survey form, guidance notes, species lists
- Map
- Clipboard and pencils
- Tape measure and string
- Plot corner markers (sticks, stones, walking poles!)
- ID guides
- Hand lens
- Compass
- GPS device
- Camera
- Phone
- Consider health and safety
28Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Access to survey sites:
• Volunteer responsibility
• Permission required on private land
• Tips in our FAQs• Land registry• Local Council• National Park, National Trust etc• Local businesses• Post office/Library• Google maps
• NPMS Permission letter
• Thank You letter
• Land owner record
• Keep the Landowner informed
Let the landowner know planned visit dates in advance
29Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Safety:
A quick reminder: When carrying out plant monitoring, NPMS volunteers do so at
their own risk.
• Consider your safety (access and landscape)
• Let someone know where you are going and when you are expected back
• Be prepared for weather changes
• Consider a small first aid kit, phone, food and drink
• Reccy/visit your site
30Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Submitting your data
Enter data online at www.npms.org.uk
Useful YouTube video tutorials here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxJpSzbAZ
MkC5eO9B2c4HOg
Further Data guidance available on NPMS
Resources web page and through specific data
entry training.
Data entry forms still accept historical data
(data recorded in a previous season)
Contact: [email protected] for help
31Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
There is also an NPMS Mobile App
Available for…
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/npms-app/id1161238829
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.ac.ceh.npms&hl
=en_GB&fbclid=IwAR3EWhftSWyotvg2sACbO0xWvjtLAfrB3Di_kabiTF
CxtR8K4ypMufdhkx4
Contact: [email protected] for help
Registration and plot creation still needs
to be carried out on desk top
Allows in field data entry
Submitting your data
32Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Your data really helps...
• Detect national trends
• Detect annual trends – species, groups of
species
• Non-natives, climate sensitive etc.
• Direct impacts of physical events e.g. severe
weather, introduction of pests
• Changes in land management
• Links with other species groups e.g.
pollinators
33Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Ways to find support
- Survey packs – materials provided
34Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Ways to find support
- Survey packs – materials provided
- Website
o Resources
o FAQs
o Online training
o Data guidance videos
35Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Ways to find support
- Survey packs – materials provided
- Website
o Resources
o FAQs
o Online training
o Data guidance videos
- NPMS support group
36Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Ways to find support
- Survey packs – materials provided
- Website
o Resources
o FAQs
o Online training
o Data guidance videos
- Facebook, NPMS support, Twitter
- Courses and events: www.npms.org.uk/content/training-events
Including current online training
events
Events available and free to
registered NPMS volunteers
Emma Brambley
37Rachel Murphy May 2020
Introduction to NPMS and Survey Methodology
Ways to find support
- Survey packs – materials provided
- Website
o Resources
o FAQs
o Online training
o Data guidance videos
- Facebook, NPMS support, Twitter
- Courses and events
- Regional Mentor (https://www.npms.org.uk/content/npms-mentors )
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 07711 922098