Habitat Surveying: Using UKHab

Interpreting and understanding habitats is the first stage in protecting them. No habitat or species management should be undertaken without first understanding the baseline habitat communities and species present on a site. The UKHab is the perfect tool for this initial assessment.

There will be classroom-based presentations, activities and discussions to introduce the potential applications of UKHab and the methodology.

As much time as possible will be spent in the field, where you will become increasingly independent in classifying and mapping a wide-range of commonly encountered habitats, as well as linear habitats such as hedgerows and smaller point features. There will be a mix of direct tuition, whole group discussion, and practice independently or in small teams.

Please note: it is impossible to complete a UKHab survey without basic botanical skills because classifying habitats relies on identifying plant species. Although this course will recap basic botanical skills and there will be chances in the field to cover identifying some key species, it will be expected that you are reasonably proficient in botanical identification of common wildflower, tree, and grass species.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand the potential applications of UKHab.
• Understand the UKHab methodology, including the field key.
• Plan a thorough and efficient UKHab field survey.
• Categorise and map a wide range of commonly encountered habitats using primary and secondary codes.
• Understand how to interpret habitat data in relation to relevant legislation and policy.

Who should attend? – This course is for adults 18+ (see FAQs). Although anyone who wishes to develop their understanding of plants and habitats is welcome, the following may find the course particularly helpful: graduates, ecological consultants, environmental managers, wardens, rangers, Wildlife Trusts, land managers, rangers, statutory agency staff, conservation practitioners, students, local authority staff.

Knowledge level – Intermediate. Level descriptors can be found on the following web-page: Framework and Course Level Descriptors

Prior knowledge – although no habitat survey experience is necessary, working Botany skills are required for this course. Our ‘Discovering Botany‘ and/or range of botanical in-person courses are recommended prerequisites.

PLEASE NOTE: If we are unable to reach viable numbers for this course, we will inform you of the course cancellation 4-5 weeks prior to the course run. We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

Please see the ‘What’s Included’ section for information on accommodation and meals options, which may be available for some courses at Field Studies Council Centres. Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be available on all courses.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

This course is delivered by more than one expert tutor. Your tutor will depend on the location of the course you book.

Bob Edmonds

Bob is a chartered environmentalist with more than twenty five years working as a professional ecological consultant and ten years working on the development of UKHab. He splits his time between SLR Consulting Ltd, where he is a Technical Director and Strategic Lead for Ecology & Biodiversity in Europe, and UKHab. Bob is Director of Partnerships at UKHab Ltd, the non-profit organisation established to manage and maintain the UK Habitat Classification, which is now the most widely used system for classifying habitats in the country. UKHab’s mission is to support high quality habitat survey and monitoring across the UK for BNG, EcIA and ES assessments. Bob is also an active member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and is proud of his 10 years volunteering for Professional Standards Committee. Specialising in habitat survey and assessment, Ecological Impact Assessment, Biodiversity Net Gain and protected species mitigation, Bob provides training, principally to environmental professionals, on UKHab, BNG and related topics.

Laurie Wildwood

Laurie Wildwood BSc (Hons) MSc MCIEEM is a professional ecological consultant and botany tutor who, with his refreshing approach, aims to inspire adults and children to explore and appreciate the natural world. His professional background is in ecology, conservation and habitat management.

Julie Riley

Julie Riley MCIEEM is a Consultant Ecologist with extensive experience of working in the environmental sector, specialising in botany and habitat surveying. Julie is a certified UKHab trainer and has extensive experience of working with and training on JNCC Phase 1 habitat surveying, UKHab surveying and Biodiversity Net Gain work.  Julie holds a FISC Level 4 botanical certification and enjoys helping professionals, volunteers and members of the public to improve their plant identification skills.

Please arrive in time for the course to start promptly at 10:00 am.

There will be a one-hour lunch break during the day. Lunch is not included so please bring your own food. Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be provided.

The course will finish between  16:30pm and 17:00 pm. See individual course information at the bottom of this page for further timing information.

Example Timetable

Please note that this timetable may be subject to change due to the tutor, location, weather, and needs of the group, but should give you an idea of what to expect.

DAY 1

• 10:00-10:45 - An introduction to the UKHab methodology
• 10:45-11:00 - Tea break
• 11:00-12:30 - Woodland species and habitats covered by the UKHab
• 12:30-13:00 - Lunch
• 13:00-16:00 - Field session to explore broadleaved, coniferous and mixed woodland, and scrub habitats

DAY 2

• 10:00-13:00 - Grassland species and habitats covered by the UKHab (including a teabreak)
• 13:00-13:30 - Lunch
• 13:30-16:45 - Field session to explore other habitats including hedgerows and water bodies
• 16:45-17:00 - Questions / Debrief

• 
  Expert Tuition

The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you continue to build and develop your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.

The course includes:

• Classroom learning covering the theory of the species
• Field excursions to apply new knowledge
• Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
• Clear objectives and progression
• Refreshments (tea and coffee)

You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.

Accommodation and meal options

For some course runs at Field Studies Council Centres, there may be the option to book accommodation with your course. If accommodation is available, there will be two booking options:

• Non-Resident
• Resident (Sole Occupancy)

If you choose a Non-Resident booking, this only includes course tuition and refreshments (tea and coffee). Please bring your own packed lunch.

If you choose a Resident (Sole Occupancy) booking, this includes accommodation with your own bedroom for two nights (starting the night before the course) and meals throughout the course (including an evening meal on the night before the course). You can check-in from 4pm on the day before the course and the evening meal will be 6:30pm.

If your booking has more than one person and you would like a shared room, please email [email protected] to inquire.

Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable. Please also note that bathrooms may be shared. 

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.

Natural History Bursaries

There are a number of natural history bursaries available to help with the cost of your course. To find out if you and your chosen course are eligible, read more here.

There will be a member of staff with first aid training and access to a first aid kit on site. If you have special medical or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the course.

What to bring:

• Desirable to bring any personal field equipment you have such as a clipboard or weather writer hand lens, notebook and pencil, botanical ID guide, binoculars and Tupperware/plastic bags for collecting specimens.
• A digital download (on phone or tablet) or print out of UKHab V2 documents, available from the UKHab ltd. website. You can register on the UKHAB website here.
• Please dress appropriately for the weather as much of both days will be spent outdoors in grassland and woodland.
• Plant ID books and preferred field guides.
• A hand lens if you have one.
• Colouring pencils for mapping.

Recommended Literature

• Flowers of walks and waysides
• Tree name trail
• Grasses guide
• Hedgerows guide
• Phase 1 survey guide: Grassland and marsh
• Playing field plants guide
• Woodland plants guide
• Grassland plants 1 guide
• Describing flowers
• Grasses AIDGAP (for more advanced students)