JNCC act as the standard bearers

Common Standards Monitoring guidance now online

Image shows an example of overgrazing, with overgrazed land on the right, in contrast with suitable grazing on the left. © Peter Wakely, English Nature.
 
Subsequent to the decision to implement the monitoring programme for designated nature conservation sites in 1999, and report on the condition of the whole site series in 2005, the country agencies decided that guidance on setting and assessing conservation objectives was needed to assist staff in undertaking site monitoring and assessment.
 
JNCC and the country agencies commenced a programme to develop such guidance across the range of species, habitat and earth science features which occur on UK protected sites. The process is now well advanced with guidance available on conservation objectives and assessment methodologies for about 75% of the features of designated sites.
 
Image of the natterjack toad for which guidance has recently been published. © English Nature
For each feature a small number of characteristics (attributes) have been chosen that describe its condition, and targets are set for each attribute. Together these should give us a reasonably robust idea of the state of the feature. The following principles have been used in choosing attributes and setting targets:
 
  • Attributes must be quantifiable and measurable.
  • Habitat attributes may include extent, floristic composition, vegetation structure, and physical characteristics. Image of the water vole for which guidance has recently been published. © Hugh Clark, Environment Agency
  • Species attributes may include population size, species distribution, and habitat factors.
  • It is desirable for the same suite of attributes to be used for each interest feature across the UK.
  • Assessment of condition is against pre-set targets for the feature(s) on that site.
  • Favourable condition is defined by setting broad targets for each attribute of the interest feature.
  • Targets should describe the desired state of an interest feature.
  • Targets should reflect geographical variation and local distinctiveness – they will often be influenced by site-specific factors.
  • Ecosystem dynamics must be taken into account, e.g. successional changes on sand dunes.

 

A seminar to introduce the guidance to other organisations which own or manage protected areas was held in February 2004.
 
Speakers illustrated the use of the guidance to set conservation objectives for features on sites, and the use of attributes and targets to assess the state of those features using the Common Standards Monitoring categories. Copies of presentations are available upon request.
 
Guidance is now available for earth science features, for coastal, lowland grassland, lowland heathland, marine, upland and woodland habitat features, and for birds, amphibians, reptiles, terrestrial mammals and vascular plants. Guidance on marine mammals, invertebrates, lower plants, lowland wetlands and freshwater habitats and species is being developed. Following the seminar, the guidance is now available on the JNCC website.
 
Contact file:
James Williams
Reporting and Standards Manager
Tel:+44 (0)1733 866868
email: