Measuring stock and change in the GB countryside for policy – Key findings and developments from the Countryside Survey 2007 field survey

摘要: Countryside Survey is a unique large scale long-term monitoring programme investigating stock and change of habitats, landscape features, vegetation, soil freshwaters Great Britain. Repeat field surveys combine policy scientific objectives to provide evidence on how multiple aspects the environment are changing over time, key goal international science in face profound human impacts ecosystems. 2007 (CS2007), fifth survey since 1978, retained consistency with previous surveys, whilst evolving line technological conceptual advances collection integration data understand change. This paper outlines approaches taken its subsequent analysis presents some headline results their relevance for national objectives. Key changes between 1998 included: a) significant shifts agricultural land cover from arable grassland, accompanied by increases area broadleaved woodland, b) decreases length managed hedges associated land, as proportion deteriorated lines trees c) areas numbers wet habitats (standing open water, ponds) species preferring wetter conditions (1998–2007 1978–2007). Despite directed at maintaining enhancing biodiversity, there were widespread richness all linear except consistent an increase competitive late successional 1978 2007. Late species: Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), Hawthorn (Cratageous monogyna) Bramble (Rubus fruticosus), top ten recorded 2007, increased The most commonly CS (1990, 2007) was Ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Increases both water quality pH aimed addressing deterioration both. Headwater streams broadly showed continued improvements biological continuing trends seen 1990. In soils, recovery acidification.