April 16, 2011 - Posted by olesen.louis - Comments Off
Census is not the prerogative of humans only! Trees also enjoy this prerogative in the form of tree surveys, albeit undertaken by we humans only! A tree survey is an important task that falls into the category of the science called Arboriculture. According to ecological consultants, tree surveys are crucial to garner information about the trees. They also help take many important decisions with regard to the health of the trees along with clearing doubts or confusions of land owners. Ecological consultants opine that tree surveys need to be taken by a professional arborist. Surprised? Who is this Arborist? And what is this Arboriculture?
Well, it is certainly a new term for the one who is not that aware about ecological science. But, for those who are in the field, know very well that Arboriculture is the science and practice of producing and managing tree and shrubs in both town and countryside. This science uses techniques, like tree selection, planting, care, and removal. Apart from carrying out tree surveys, it gives utmost importance to the maintenance and protection of trees belonging to urban households. Britain has established a standard — British Standard BS5837 —for a professional arborist to carry out tree surveys. This standard helps the professional decide which trees have to be kept and which to be removed. However, this standard is not just confined to arborist, but for any householder/land owner who wants to make an informed decision about their trees. Usually, tree surveys reveal the species of the tree based on the scientific name, physical measurements in terms of height and diameter. Interestingly, tree surveys also reveal age of the tree, general health and well-being of the trees, as well as life expectancy. Based on this information, householders or landowners can make informed decisions regarding their tree planting or tree eradication plans. Read more..
April 11, 2011 - Posted by olesen.louis - Comments Off
According to Ecological Consultants, to remove this weed entirely from the land is like walking on the razor’s edge precisely because the more you cut Japanese Knotweed, the faster it will grow. Having small green-white flowers, this outrageous Japanese Knotweed is endowed with strong roots called rhizomes. Japanese Knotweed finds its life source and Phoenix like propensity from these rhizomes. The rhizomes also called underground stems have the capacity to spread up to seven metres from the parent plant to a depth of three meters. With such strong hold of the roots, Japanese Knotweed does not allow other plants to grow as well. And as wildfire requires firemen to get extinguished, Japanese Knotweed too requires help of ecological consultants to be eradicated completely.
Japanese Knotweed is also listed as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species by World Conversation union. In the UK it is listed under Section 14(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which states that “if any person plants or otherwise causes to grow in the wild any plant which is included in Part II of Schedule 9, he shall be guilty of an offence.” The physical attributes of this weed are consisted of small green-white flowers blossoming between late summers to early bottoms. The leaves of this weed are 7-14 cm long and 5-12 cm broad. As its base is flat and tip sharp, the leaves take their places on arching stems in a zig-zag pattern.
Scared? Yes, it is scary. One of the most interesting things about Japanese Knotweed is that it loves places where human density is higher! Having the green stems with red purple specks, Japanese Knotweed simply loves humans and therefore, it likes to grow in lands, houses, gardens and many more places that humans like to inhabit! It surely is a challenge to human claims to accommodate all the beings of the world under the maxim “the world is but one family”. Read more..
March 28, 2011 - Posted by olesen.louis - Comments Off
Water vole, a declining native mammal of UK has rat-like in appearance. It has a round face and a short tail and a blunt nose. It is found near ponds, lakes, rivers and streams. The male species of this habitat have a head and body of 20cm with a 12cm tail. The females are found to be slight smaller. Their lifespan is considered to be of around 5 months but it can last till 5 years if in internment. Their food consists of grass, fallen fruits, twigs and waterside plants. Considered as an active creature, they are found to be busy throughout the day and night. They spend most of their time in eating and are found moving in grasses and sedges. They are good swimmers and are found paddling with four legs.
The breeding of this creature mostly begins in March and carries till early winter. But it is completely dependent on the weather. They built a nest made of woven grass stems and after the gestation period the female gives birth to five-eight babies. Ecology consultant says that the babies of water vole are blind and naked when born. Moreover babies are blind and naked at birth and are just of around 5 gm.
But today, these species are in scarce. It is said that in 1990 UK had more than seven million water voles but by 1998 it reached to even less than million and since then the numbers has decreased. Since 6th April 2008 killing water vole intentionally has become illegal. Ecology consultant and other Wildlife Trusts are working hard to make sure that these water voles survive. Read more about Water Voles
March 23, 2011 - Posted by olesen.louis - Comments Off
Giant Hogweed, a non-native plant causes severe damage to both human and nature. The Northeast and Newyork area has plenty of plants that look quite similar to it. It is extremely dangerous and hence it is advised that one shouldn’t touch or try to cause damage to this plant because it has the capacity to cause skin irritation. This plant can also cause permanent blindness and painful blistering as well. If there’s anyone who thinks that he has been burnt by this plant then one should immediately contact their physician. Moreover if you find this plant on your property then stay away from it.
It knows how to protect itself and gives flowers in late June. According to surveys’ made by ecology consultant these plants die in winter months and leave the ground bare. They cause soil erosion as well. Mow the ground during summer this will prevent the seeds from maturing. When mowing it make sure that the pieces are disposed properly because it is said that these seeds can come up after 7 to 8 years.
It is often said by ecology consultant that it is difficult to get rid of giant hogweed because it produces more than 20,000 seeds. It has also been reported that the individual plants produce more than 100,000 seeds. It has a rapid reproductive nature. Moreover the seeds of individual plants remain for more than 12 years which means that even a single seed can cause a great expansion in population. Read More…
March 16, 2011 - Posted by olesen.louis - Comments Off
In July 2005, it was witnessed that the impact of crayfish plague spread widely that wiped out them in less than 10-12 days. There was an increase in the population of invasive American signal crayfish that were aggressive and carried a plague that had adverse effects on native white clawed crayfish. This plague was difficult to identify. Almost 95% of the white clawed crayfish lay dead on the bottom of the river. Controlling the plague to spread is still ineffective and so an action has been taken to safeguard these species by locating them at places that are safe and where chances of spreading plague are least low.
It is said that South Peak Estate is one of those sites and ecology consultant from different places are working hard for setting up a coffer so that they can remove the population. A number of species are being relocated to an isolated place where they can have a proper breeding population. The reason behind establishing this is that even if a time comes when the main population is wiped out there’ll be a place where population of white clawed crayfish would be available.
A good ecology consultant working with a licensed ecological consultancy can be of great health when it comes to conducting surveys on white clawed crayfish and their mitigation. Some consultancies in UK also conduct night time searches by using torch. The period starting from mid July to end of September is considered as the best time for conducting the survey. This is the phase when the flow of river is slow. A good ecological consultancy uses various mitigation techniques. Read more about white clawed crayfish
March 8, 2011 - Posted by olesen.louis - Comments Off
Japanese Knotweed is among invasive species found in plants of Britain. It spreads quickly and harms the native vegetation as it prevents them from growing. It is also harmful for the construction industry as it has the capacity to expose weaknesses in foundations, buildings and concrete.
If there is anyone having a question as what does the Japanese knotweed look like then below is an answer to it.
- Is lush green in colour
- Has heart shaped leaves
- Has a bamboo like stem
- Has white flowers around September or October
- It’s growth is limited to 10cm a day
- Its stem can reach three metres high and can move up to seven metres.
There are certain things that a landowner should keep in mind to prevent the spread of this invasive plant. Read more…
February 16, 2011 - Posted by olesen.louis - Comments Off
Phase 1 habitat survey, also called Eco phase 1, habitat survey or wild life survey, is the industry standard for ecologist mapping British habitats. Phase 1 habitat survey involves an ecological assessment of the area i.e. study, identification and mapping of the animals, plant species, wild habitats present on the development site or area. During site observation a report is prepared showing the important types of species like rare plants, animals, or ancient hedgerows present on the area. This ecological assessment report is prepared according to Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) standard of Phase 1 habitat classification.
Generally the Phase 1 habitat survey can be carried out at any time of the year, although the duration between spring season and summer season is considered the most suitable to assess and identify the type of vegetation and its special characteristics. If more detailed report is required, special for type of vegetation than there are some ecology consultancy which provide Extended Phase 1 habitat surveys.
An Extended Phase 1 habitat survey involves more detailed habitat survey in comparison to standard Phase 1 habitat survey. It is based on phase 1 habitat survey report or collects the detailed ecological assessment reports from local provide and undertake an assessment of the site for finding evidences of the natural habitat protected under UK legislation. Such type survey also are the best source to obtain advice for requirement of conducting any additional surveys or tips on what to be done if the protect species such as Bats, reptiles, Water voles, Birds, Trees, etc. are found on the development site.
Extended phase 1 habitat survey can be conducted during any period of the year. It is advisable to get the habitat survey done at the planning phase of your development project, as incase if you do not carry the survey and make the investment, at later development stage you may receive a letter from the legislation to carry on the survey and just think is the report includes the presences of protected wildlife than it can become cost effective and postpone your development plans.
The best way to remove such possible legal obstacles and streamline your business plan, you may contact the licensed ecological consultancy and get the right advice to conduct a habitat survey on right time. As the phrase goes “Precaution is better than cure”, you have to be cautious and well informed before giving shape to your plans. This will definitely benefit you in framing the schedules and efficiently implement your development project. Read More…
February 14, 2011 - Posted by olesen.louis - Comments Off
Some environment friendly countries which believe in saving the endangered reptile species have very strict rules in place when it is about it. Hence you have no other option but to comply with the provisions laid down to make sure your development project is not faced with delays due to legal complications. Reptiles and their habitat can be small or big, harmful or amicable and need protection. We can harm them unintentionally and even they can harm us. Reptile fencing thus ensures our as well as their safety.
Reptiles are of many different types and have equally different type of habitat; it is not possible for a common man to know about all of them and their habitat. Then how do you get reptile fencing done on your development site. If you were thinking that reptile fencing can be done by anyone then you are wrong as many environment friendly factors are to be considered before deciding on how much area should be fenced and which type of fencing should be used for this.
If you want to get reptile fencing done on your site then you will first have to know the spread of reptiles on and around your development site to take the right decision. It means you will have to literally conduct reptile surveys to know what type of reptiles are there and what is there habitat and how or what you can do to comply with the legal provisions related to their safety. This is not something you or your employees can do. Then who can do it for you?
Of course you will need trained ecological consultants who are in good knowledge of all things related to reptile surveys, habitat and provisions to comply with to get the required licenses. Instead of hiring independent ecological consultants it is always better to opt for an ecological consultancy to receive better services. A reputed ecological consultancy with well trained ecological consultants can perform reptile surveys more effectively and also provide some additional services related to legal compliance. More…
February 11, 2011 - Posted by olesen.louis - Comments Off
We have many legal provisions in place to check and maintain great crested newt population. These can be found in Appendix II of the Bern Convention; Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; Annexes II and IV of the EC Habitats Directive; as well as Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) Regulations 1994 (Regulation 8).
All these make it clear that it is a punishable offence to capture, posses, trade, transport, injure, kill or disturb newt or newt habitat intentionally or unintentionally. Newt habitat includes pond and other small water bodies where they breed and surrounding area upto 500 meters. Loss of proper newt habitat is one of the main reasons responsible for decline in their population. Loss of great crested newt habitat occurs due to:
1) Reduced number of ponds due to infilling, pollution, development and negligence
2) Drifted terrestrial newt habitat
3) Fish in great crested newt ponds
4) Polluted water
If you were thinking how will development take place if these laws with respect to the protection of great crested newt and newt habitat are in place? First you need not worry about this as government has also laid down certain provisions which allow further development in areas with newt habitat. By adhering to the provisions made companies can obtain relevant license to start development work. The provisions laid down with this respect maintain that the newt population should not be disturbed in any way through the development project and relevant measures should be taken to ensure their safety.
To make sure if your development project will be affected or not by newt population in the area and what type of measures you will have to take to comply with the provisions it is important that you hire an ecological consultant who will do newt survey with reference to their population and habitat on your development sites. Ecological consultants will be able to suggest measures which can help you comply with the provisions laid down and obtain license required to start the development work. Read More…
February 9, 2011 - Posted by olesen.louis - Comments Off
Role of an ecological consultant can be better understood by an example. If you want to undertake any development project in UK then it is mandatory by law that the construction should not hinder newt habitat in any form. Because of this companies have to hire ecological consultant who can survey the area for them to find the spread of the great crested newt in the area. Based on the findings of the survey different ways to deal with it are sorted, like fencing can be used in areas near newt habitat. By these steps companies are able to obtain license to successfully start and complete the construction.
Companies have to be careful while hiring ecological consultant as most of them specializes in some specific or different type of ecological consultancy. To hire them, first find out what type of environmental constraints can affect your development projects, this will help you get an idea of what type of ecological consultancy you will need. It is always important to check for previous work record to make sure that they will be able to complete your habitat survey task on time.
Failure to consider environmental constraints in your development project can eventually result in punishable offense wherein you would be required to pay huge amount as fine and spend time in jail or both. Ecological consultant can help your business out of all such situations and thus are very important. Read More…
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