Monitor and report on environmental change

This standard covers monitoring and reporting on environmental change. It includes developing and using systems to monitor environmental change and interpreting and reporting on the results so that future action can be taken.

The term "monitor" is given a wide interpretation here – covering the informal monitoring which takes place during day-to-day operations as well as the more formal monitoring of specific aspects of the environment.

You are likely to be monitoring indicators that may relate to changes in the condition of the environment, for example, the effects of climate change, the width or depth of eroding footpaths, the growth of vegetation in a newly enclosed area, the rate of erosion of a specific coastal feature, the decline in birdsong at set sampling times, or changes in the invertebrate population of a stream as a result of pollution. Indicators may also relate to the efficiency and effectiveness of policies, plans and their implementation.

You must carry out your work in a way that takes account of its impact on the environment.

This standard is for those employees and volunteers who are responsible for monitoring and reporting on environmental change.

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1. select indicators for monitoring environmental change, which are likely to meet the required objectives for the monitoring activity
2. check that your selected indicators are measurable and are clearly described
3. develop systems for monitoring and reporting on environmental change, in accordance with the objectives, costs and time specifications, and other requirements of your organisation
4. produce guidelines for the use of monitoring systems that are easy to understand and available to all users
5. confirm that monitoring activities are carried out in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and policies of your organisation
6. regularly assess the monitoring systems and propose any modifications
7. record all monitoring data accurately, comprehensively and in a format and language specified by the monitoring system
8. use all available, relevant and current information when interpreting monitoring data
9. produce reports on environmental change on a format, style and language that helps decision-making and conforms to the procedures of your organisation
10. confirm that your reports are relevant, accurate and concise and are supported with records of the raw data
11. make explicit your conclusions and recommendations for action within the monitoring report
12. seek feedback from recipients of the reportconfirm that all work is carried out in accordance with the relevant national legislation, local regulations, guidance, codes of practice and policies of your organisation

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1. the importance of developing and using systems to monitor environmental change
2. the importance of consistency when monitoring environmental change
3. the methods of identifying relevant indicators for monitoring environmental change
4. the principles of monitoring against indicators
5. the sources of research data and information to monitor environmental change
6. where and how to obtain relevant additional data and information
7. which individuals and organisations to consult when selecting and agreeing indicators
8. the types of systems to monitor environmental change and how to use them
9. the organisational requirements in relation to the monitoring systems adopted
10. the methods of communicating guidelines in a format suitable for users
11. the types of changes that may take place in the environment and the causes of these changes
12. the need to review the monitoring systems and how this can be best achieved
13. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and policies of your organisation
14. the techniques for recording data on environmental change
15. the ways in which records may vary according to the nature and objectives of the monitoring activity
16. the sources of information relevant to the interpretation of monitoring data
17. the types of supporting evidence that may be used
18. the ways of presenting and reporting results from monitoring activities and the reasons for selecting particular ways of presenting data
19. the ways in which the form, style and language of a report should vary according to the different recipients
20. the means of obtaining and handling feedback from the recipients of a report
21. the relevant national legislation, local regulations, guidance, codes of practice and policies of your organisation

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Consistency: e.g. same methodology, survey points, locations, times, etc

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Monitoring could include:

• terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments
• wildlife and wildlife habitats
• effectiveness of habitat management
• the impact of visitors and others on landscapes and wildlife
• access network
• water levels/flow
• environmental conditions
• the effects of climate change
• progress towards climate change targets

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2

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2025

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Current

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Original

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Lantra

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LANEnC9

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Access Officer, Conservation Officer, Ecologist, Environmental Management Officer, Estate Worker, Ranger

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2152

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habitat; sea; land; survey; data; site

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