Conduct site assessments in the land-based and environmental sector
Overview
This standard covers conducting site assessments in the land-based and environmental sector. It includes the collection, interrogation and analysis of data. You will be working to a survey design and plan.
Site assessments may be required for a wide range of reasons, such as to help determine how the site should be used and managed. Most assessments will involve both primary and secondary sources of data.
You must check that you have required permissions, consents and licences prior to carrying out assessments. Permissions may relate to access to sites or access to information. Consents or licences may be required by the relevant local regulations or national legislation, for example to work with protected species.
You must carry out your work in a way that takes account of its impact on the environment.
This standard is suitable for those who have responsibility for conducting site assessments in the land-based and environmental sector.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- confirm the purpose, scope and objectives of the site assessment in the land-based and environmental sector and the information that it aims to produce
- clarify your own role and responsibilities in the assessment process and your relationship to others who are involved
- confirm you have any required permissions, consents or licences
- conduct the site assessment using methods that are consistent with the specifications provided and are applicable to the identified sources of data
- carry out data collection using the correct methodology, when conducting a site assessment
- carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and policies of your organisation
- take care that the effects of your work and access do not adversely affect the condition of the survey site
- reinstate the site to the required condition, which is consistent with the surrounding area
- confirm that the data gathered is valid and reliable
- confirm that there is sufficient data prior to the start of the analysis
- confirm the analysis methods to be used
- where the analysis of data reveals problems with its sufficiency, reliability or validity, take action to rectify this
- analyse and record findings in the required format, in accordance with the assessment specifications
- provide valid and justifiable interpretations about the site based on the data collected and its analysis
- present information about the site in a way that meets** the audience requirements and their use of the information
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the purpose, scope and objectives of the site assessment in the land-based and environmental sector and the information it aims to produce
- the implications of site restrictions or designations
- the importance of having relevant permissions, consents or licences
- the different data collection methods that are available for conducting site assessments, and the principles of their use
- why different methods are used on different occasions and at different sites and why they should be implemented as specified in the survey design and plan
- how to evaluate the validity and reliability of data when conducting a site assessment
- how data being collected should be recorded
- the sources of error and bias in data collection
- how to estimate the sufficiency of data when conducting a site assessment
- the ways in which conducting site assessments may impact on the site itself and how to minimise these
- your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and policies of your organisation
- the different quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods and their respective advantages and disadvantages
- how to use the data analysis methods required by the specifications
- the formats for presenting the analysed data and how to use them effectively
- the actions that should be taken when there are problems with the sufficiency, reliability or validity of data
- how to justify your interpretation of data using rational argument and supporting evidence
- methods of presenting the results and findings that meet the audience requirements and their use of the information
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Data collection methods could include: written, oral, aural, electronic, visual.
Data analysis methods could include: mathematical calculations, use of biodiversity metrics, use of modelling, use of application software.
Scope of assessment: including legal, environmental, ecological, historic, social, cultural, aesthetic and economic factors.
Site restrictions or designations could include:
- National Park
- Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
- Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
- Special Protection Area (SPA),
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
- National Nature Reserve
- Marine Conservation Zone
- World Heritage Site (WHS)
- Archaeological site
- Nitrogen Vulnerable Zone (NVZ)
- Drinking Water Safeguard Zones
- Scheduled Monument (SM)
- Listed Building (LB)
- Registered Parks and Gardens (RPGs)
- Registered Battlefield (RB)
- Sites identified on the Historic Environment Record (HER)
- Public rights of way and access land
- Military training area
Sources of data:
- primary
- secondary
Types of assessment could include:
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
- Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
- Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA)
- Physical (abiotic) environment survey
- Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA)
- Habitat condition assessment
- Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)
- Landscape/Seascape Character Assessments
Types of data:
- quantitative
- qualitative