Countryside Survey 2007 and beyond…
Hand-held PCs used in the 2007 Survey
The 2007 Survey is currently underway and due to report towards the end of 2008. Recent work has demonstrated how principles established in the UK might be extended to a European scale - not only to examine the implications of climate change, but also to link them with land use. Several European countries have also been carrying out programmes of work, using comparable principles, with many further studies planned. In light of this, there is strong potential to apply the Countryside Survey approach to measuring the rates of vegetation and habitat change at the strategic European level, and in the development of appropriate rural policies.
Reference: J. Sheail & R.G.H. Bunce (2003) The development and scientific principles of an environmental classification for strategic ecological survey in the United Kingdom. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.