Technology in Ecology

Recent years have seen a rapid rise in the use of technological equipment within the field of ecology. From high-tech drones, to the humble bat detector, ecologists are increasingly using technology to aid with data collection during surveys.

Most technology used in ecological surveys relies on sensing physical aspects of the environment. Sensors convert physical magnitudes such as heat, sound, and motion into interpretable electric signals (Figure 1). Analysis of these signals can have various applications, including detecting animals during darkness/low visibility, mapping vegetation and landscape features, detecting rare/elusive species, and understanding animals’ behaviour.  At E3, we use a wide suite of technology to aid with data collection; infrared and thermal cameras for bird surveys and bat emergence and transect surveys, drones for habitat mapping, Anabats for recording bat calls, and camera traps for detecting elusive protected species such as the European otter. Some examples of surveys where we have successfully used such technology are provided below.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1 Examples of technology used in ecological surveys. Graphic produced using CCO Adobe Spark Clipart

Thermal camera: Using thermal cameras on transect surveys we have detected protected species such as bats, badgers, nightjar and barn owl.

 

 

 

 

Figure 2 Bats foraging above a lake (left), and a barn owl foraging over some fields (right)

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South Tyneside Waders

Over the winters of 2019-20 and 2021-22 E3 Ecology were employed by South Tyneside council to carry out wader surveys at a group of fields in the borough. The aim was to determine the fields that are most attractive to foraging and roosting waders within the survey area. Waders are a special group of birds that include species that winter in North-East England in internationally important numbers, such as Turnstone and Purple Sandpiper which breed in distant places such as Iceland and Greenland. Waders also include many species of high conservation concern, such as Curlew, which has declined to the extent that it is now regarded as one of Britain’s highest conservation concerns.

Purple Sandpiper

E3 Ecology’s survey work in South Tyneside found non-breeding waders tend to use fields that contain short vegetation, such as autumn-sown cereal fields. Fields containing longer vegetation tend to be avoided. Waders also prefer larger fields that allow approaching predators to be spotted. Foxes, dogs and birds of prey all pose a potentially fatal threat to foraging and roosting waders, and early warning signs of their presence allows time to attempt to escape.

 

 

 

Survey work also showed how the distribution of waders can change at night. Some waders, such as Golden Plover and Lapwing, forage at night and use the daytime hours for sleeping. Golden Plover and Lapwing gather in large flocks to sleep during the day, but at night spread out and use fields that are never used during the daytime. Overall, E3 Ecology’s wader surveys in South Tyneside provided a valuable insight into how waders use fields during both day and night.

Turnstone

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Waxcap Surveys

 

One aspect of ecology that seems to be gaining more attention at the moment is waxcap grasslands. At E3 Ecology, we have recently undertaken several waxcap surveys of potentially valuable waxcap grassland sites. These are specialist surveys looking at the grassland fungi (mushrooms) present on a site, often over a few separate visits in autumn.

Waxcaps are a very colourful and attractive group of fungi and are the real ‘face’ of waxcap grasslands. They are not however, the only species we need to look for.

‘Waxcap grasslands’ is actually a bit of a catch-all term that is used to refer to a grassland habitat that is home to a variety of specialised fungi which includes members of the groups Clavariaceae (fairy clubs), Hygrocybe (waxcaps), Entoloma (pinkgills), Geoglossaceae (earth tongues), Dermoloma (crazed caps), Porpoloma (meadowcaps) and Cuphophyllus (fanvaults). For ease these are often collectively referred to as CHEGD species and their supporting habitat as ‘waxcap grassland’.

 

 

Due to a range of human-induced issues, waxcap grasslands are now hugely threatened across Northern Europe. The UK is home to some of the best examples of waxcap grasslands in the world and our excellent collections are hence of global importance. However, the grasslands, and the fungi they contain, are poorly understood and it generally requires specialists to be able to identify the fungi species.

 

“Sites rich in grassland fungi are scarce and threatened on a world scale, and the extent of this habitat in northern Europe has declined dramatically (Veen et al., 2009). Relative to these losses, Britain retains a high number of species-rich waxcap grasslands (Newton et al., 2003; Evans, 2004; Griffith et al. 2013), for which we clearly have an international responsibility.” – JNCC 2018

Waxcap grasslands tend to be habitats that have seen very little disturbance for a long time and have had little to no nutrients (such as fertiliser) added. Grazing and mowing however can be beneficial as the fungi like a short grass sward. This means that the sites we have surveyed for waxcaps have ranged from an upland sheep grazed pasture to an historical formal croquet lawn at a stately home.

 

 

At E3 we have been working with and learning from national and regional experts and also have our own capacity to undertake these specialist surveys. Waxcap surveys are generally undertaken in the late summer/autumn when the fungi are emerging from the ground or ‘fruiting’. Depending on the waxcap potential of the site, it might be that a single survey is recommended or surveys once a month September – November in order to catch a full suite of species.

Our surveys are necessary to help protect these important habitats and to ensure that waxcap grasslands on site are appropriately managed and looked after for the long term. In 2022 alone we worked on a variety of sites such as an upland pasture on the edge of the Northumberland National Park, a regenerated quarry site with previous polluted fields and a historic croquet lawn.  Through these surveys we have been able to identify a large variety of CHEGD fungi species and highlight habitats of county and parish importance, as well as habitats that are still developing as waxcap grasslands.

 

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Ecological Impact Assessment and additional protected species surveys at a site in Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees

 

E3 Ecology was contacted in 2020 to undertake an ecological impact assessment of a proposed development site in Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees. The ecological work was required to inform a planning application for a residential development of the site.

An initial walkover survey was completed to assess the habitats on site in accordance with JNCC Phase 1 Habitat Survey methodology and to conduct a preliminary assessment of ecological constraints and opportunities that may require further survey or assessment, mitigation or compensation measures.

The initial survey highlighted the requirement for further detailed botanical assessment during the summer, which was completed to fully characterise the grassland on site. In addition, further survey was recommended to assess habitat suitability and potential presence of water vole, otter, bats and badger. These surveys were subsequently instructed.

Bat transect and remote monitoring surveys were completed to assess bat activity on the site, finding the site to be used by common pipistrelle and noctule bats, with a low number of Myotis sp. bats also recorded. A ground-level assessment of trees on site for potential to support roosting bats identified a single tree with moderate suitability to support roosts – potentially requiring further dusk and dawn presence / absence surveys from May to September. Consequently, a climbed aerial inspection with ropes and harnesses was completed of the tree by E3’s licensed and CS38 qualified bat surveyors. The features in question were found to be of lower suitability upon closer inspection, due to exposure to adverse weather and rainwater. As a result, no further bat presence / absence surveys were subsequently required and the tree could be felled using best practice methods.

Otter and water vole surveys of an adjacent watercourse found no evidence of either species and similarly a site walkover survey looking for field signs of badger recorded no evidence of use by the species, though they may visit the site on occasion if present in the local area due to the suitability of habitats.

Mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures were recommended within the EcIA report and E3 remain on call to assist with any further ecological requirements or consultation.

 

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An ECoW Project – Union Chain Bridge

An ECoW Project – Union Chain Bridge

What is an ECoW?

An ECoW (Ecological Clerk of Works) monitors works on a development site, and provides advice on how to manage ecological and environmental risks. They ensure that works are completed in accordance with relevant legislation, planning policy, and documents such as method statements and Construction Environment Management Plans (CEMP). An ECoW’s role is often site specific, but can involve informing contractors of the ecological risks on site through tool box talks, conducting checks of habitats before works commence, and supervising works which carry ecological risk.

An example of a project in which E3 Ecology have provided ECoW is the restoration of Union Chain Bridge, which lies over the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders. This project was done in conjunction with Northumberland County Council and their chosen contractors.

 

Why did the bridge restoration project require an ECoW?

An ECoW was employed at this site to support the site manager and main contractor to adhere to the Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) and necessary wildlife legislation. The site is located within an ecologically sensitive area, being within two statutorily protected sites; a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Furthermore, there were several species considered as qualifying features of these protected sites located within the stretch of river which could be affected by the planned works.

Preliminary surveys found the bridge itself to be suitable for roosting bats, and though further surveys found no bats roosting in the bridge, nesting birds were present. The river and its surrounding habitats were also found to be suitable for a variety of protected species, including otters and kingfishers. Species listed as invasive and non-native on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act were also found, including Himalayan balsam.

With such a range of ecological sensitivities to consider, an ECoW was considered necessary to support the project.

 

What has the work involved?

Since works commenced, E3 have conducted regular visits to the site to ensure that works are not impacting on the River Tweed, and surrounding habitats. This has involved supervising specific works being undertaken, and conducting checks for protected and invasive species.

Thankfully, ecological issues on site have generally been few, though there have been some incidences with nesting birds. One such case was when workers were away for a weekend, and a pied wagtail laid 6 eggs in a nest within an exhaust of a dump truck! Nesting mallards also caused delays when they started to nest atop the Scottish tower just as high-level works to the tower were about to commence. Following these instances, the team on site became very diligent in keeping an eye out for potential nesting issues during the 2022 breeding season. Because workers, with ECoW assistance, were able to reduce the number of problematic nesting spaces before they were nested in, no delays due to nesting birds were encountered for the remainder of the year.

Himalayan balsam has been a further ecological constraint present on site. This highly invasive species is present in abundance along the stretch of river, and it was imperative that the workers did not allow the plant to spread off site, or further downstream. Managing the issue has involved regular checks of the plant’s growth, and alerting staff so that new growth is promptly removed. Once workers on site were taught to identify the species, they were especially vigilant in strimming it down and pulling up any stray plants. In doing so, the amount of plant going to seed was greatly reduced.

After over two years of hard work from the contractors at the bridge, and some very picturesque ECoW visits, works have recently finished at Union Chain, with the bridge restored to its former grandeur. Thanks to the work of E3, and the diligence and professionalism of contractors on site, the project was completed while successfully protecting the special biodiversity of the bridge and the local area.

 

 

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