Botanical Surveys

EMEC Ecology's staff have carried out botanical surveys throughout England including counties in the East Midlands. We have recently undertaken NVC Surveys near Bakewell in Derbyshire, as well as Japanese knotweed surveys across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Staffordshire.

How to Book a Botanical Survey

Nottingham Spring Crocus

EMEC Ecology work with many different clients from large council projects to small residential development sites. Each survey will therefore be specific to a site and the costs will vary accordingly. EMEC Ecology will be happy to provide a quotation for any botanical survey that will be both efficient and cost effective to the site specifics. Reports are produced as soon as possible however should you have a specific date for submission with a planning application we will do our utmost to accommodate this.

If you require a quotation please send an email to us at mail@emec-ecology.co.uk including any site plans that you have available (or details and photographs of the site if applicable) with details of the proposed development plans of the site, along with your name and contact details. Should you wish to contact us at the office please call 0115 9644828.

Japanese Knotweed in Nottinghamshire

NVC Surveys

The National Vegetation Classification (NVC) is a standardised classification developed for plant communities in the UK. It aims to use the relative abundance of floral species within a quadrat to classify the habitat, which is then represented on an electronically produced map. It covers the majority of terrestrial, freshwater and maritime habitats across the UK (excluding Northern Ireland). However, as it relies solely on floristic compositions, it does not cover habitats that lack floral species, such as rock habitats or include non-native conifer plantations.

Invasive Species

Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam were introduced into the UK as ornamental plants. However, they are extremely invasive and have taken over large areas of habitat, reducing the success of native floral species.

Under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981 (as amended) it is an offence 'to plant or otherwise encourage' the growth of Japanese knotweed. This includes cutting the plant or roots and disturbing surrounding soil if not correctly managed. Soil within 7m of a stand of Japanese knotweed can contain its rhizomes and therefore, specific mitigation will be required for any work within 7m of any stands of Japanese knotweed that are identified.

Priority Species

Several floral species are listed as priority species on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). These species have been identified as priorities for conservation action and therefore their presence on a development site should be a consideration in any planning proposals. The priority list includes species of orchid, various whitebeams and eyebrights.

Management Plans

A full floral species list may be required in order to determine appropriate management options for a site. Additionally, the presence of certain floral species may influence the management with regards to protected/notable faunal species. For example, the dingy skipper, a UK BAP Priority species, prefers to feed on common bird's foot trefoil, therefore the areas where this species is present may require management in order to ensure the butterfly’s continued persistence.

Survey Methodology

A botanical survey consists of a site visit, during which a suitably qualified ecologist will determine the floral species present and the locations of any notable floral species, such as Japanese knotweed. The results will be presented on an electronically produced map, showing the habitat boundaries and locations of specific plants.

EMEC Ecology's staff have carried out botanical surveys throughout England including counties in the East Midlands. We have recently undertaken NVC Surveys near Bakewell in Derbyshire, as well as a variety of other botanical surveys across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Staffordshire.

Recent project completed by EMEC Ecology have included:

Cressbrook Dale National Nature Reserve near Bakewell in Derbyshire - Natural England

An NVC Survey of the National Nature Reserve (which is also a SSSI) was completed in 2009. The survey aimed to determine whether there had been any change in the NVC communities present and their boundaries, since the previous NVC survey.

Japanese Knotweed Survey in the Lyme Valley near Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire - Severn Trent Water Ltd

EMEC Ecology were required to survey the site proposed for construction work after an initial ecological survey identified the presence of Japanese knotweed. The entire site was surveyed and the stands of Japanese knotweed were plotted on a map. Advice on recommended control and eradication measures was provided.

Bee Orchid Survey in St. Anns, Nottingham

A survey for bee orchids was carried out at a Local Wildlife Site near Nottingham city in order to inform the positioning of a new security fence. Information on the life cycle of bee orchids was provided as well as a map showing their distribution across the site and advice on general mitigation in line with the proposed works.

Botanical Monitoring of the Banks of Three Rivers on the Nottinghamshire/Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire Borders - Environment Agency

EMEC Ecology carried out botanical monitoring surveys of the river banks in sections of the River Trent, River Torne and River Idle. The surveys were required to assess the changes to floral species composition since the implementation of the current management strategy in 2004 and to make suggestions regarding the future management of the river bank habitats.

Nottingham Spring Crocus

During the sping of 2009 EMEC Ecology undertook surveys of a site to the north of Nottingham which supported a good population of Nottingham spring crocus, a county BAP species. Recommendations to retain and protect the crocuses and a management plan for the site were provided.