Long-Term Monitoring Network Vegetation Quadrats
Natural England
Description
This dataset includes the results of vegetation quadrat surveys collected for the Long-Term Monitoring Network. Surveys were conducted by a mixture of volunteers, Natural England staff, and paid contractors, using a standard protocol (see http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/category/5895911152025600) and a range of quality assurance procedures.
Natural England’s Long-term Monitoring Network project (LTMN) began in 2009 with the aim of developing, with our partners, a cost effective network of sites to provide evidence on the effects of changing climate, air pollution and land management on the natural environment. LTMN measures multiple attributes on 37 fixed sites across England http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/map?category=5316639066161152), using standard protocols http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/category/5895911152025600). It covers ten target habitats and similar habitats can be compared in areas with contrasting climate and pollution conditions.
Geographic Description
Surveys were carried out at fixed quadrat locations on 37 National Nature Reserves across England. See http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/map?category=5316639066161152. Surveys were carried out between May and September in each survey year, initially to establish baseline data and then repeat measurement surveys normally every four years. Baseline surveys were conducted from 2010 to 2015, repeat measurement surveys from 2013. Further site and plot information such as slope, aspect, elevation can be found here http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/4654364897050624) by using the LocationID stored for each record on the NBN Atlas.
Data quality
A number of quality control procedures were applied, including validation, identification and coding of data issues, quality assurance processes to rectify errors or remove unreliable data, sample checking, and internal and expert review. Verification Status was asigned using a set of rules. If the survey was undertaken by a contractor, then all records are ACCEPTED. If the survey was completed by Natural England but hasn't undergone the complete QA process, records are marked as ACCEPTED - CONSIDERED CORRECT. If the survey was completed by Natural England and has undergone the complete QA process, statuses are assigned based on QA code: empty: ACCEPTED; 999: ACCEPTED; QA600: ACCEPTED; QA601: ACCEPTED; QA602: ACCEPTED; QA603: ACCEPTED; QA604: ACCEPTED; QA605: ACCEPTED; QA606: ACCEPTED; QA607: ACCEPTED; QA608: ACCEPTED; QA610: ACCEPTED; QA766: UNCONFIRMED; QA777: ACCEPTED; QA788: UNCONFIRMED; QA900: ACCEPTED; QA901: ACCEPTED; QA902: ACCEPTED; QA903: ACCEPTED; QA999: UNCONFIRMED.
Methods
See http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6331137473904640?category=5895911152025600
Citation
Natural England Long-Term Monitoring Network Vegetation Quadrats (2019)
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Digitised records
Looking up... the number of records that can be accessed through the NBN Atlas. This resource was last checked for updated data on 05 Jul 2019. The most recent data was published on 05 Jul 2019.
Click to view records for the Long-Term Monitoring Network Vegetation Quadrats resource.