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Previous
work towards NARRS |
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The
need for a national herpetofauna monitoring scheme has been identified
for many years. National surveys were carried out by Leicester Polytechnic
in the late 1980s/early 1990s, but these were never continued as ongoing
monitoring schemes. Major databases include those held by the BRC
and the BHS and many of the local
record centres (LRCs) also hold thousands of herpetofauna records.
Around 2000, the idea of a national monitoring programme for herps
was resurrected, and since then there has been steady progress towards
setting it up. From 2001 onwards, the HCT has been generating a national
database of rare species survey and monitoring records, and in 2003/4,
using database and GIS, the HCT produced national digital population
inventories for the rare species – natterjack toad, sand lizard, smooth
snake. This was the first time this had been achieved for UK herpetofauna
species. The
HCT Rare Species Database and the BRC
Reptiles and Amphibians Dataset are available online at the NBN
Gateway. To create a UK map for a species, go to www.searchnbn.net,
type the species in the search box and choose a mapping option. |
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Discussions
and meeting continued and in 2004/5, the HCT carried out a comprehensive
scoping exercise for NARRS, with the support of Countryside Council
for Wales and English Nature. This involved wide consultation of all
amphibian and reptile groups (ARGs) in Britain, all LRCs, statutory
nature conservation agencies (SNCOs), the National
Biodiversity Network (NBN), non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
such as Froglife, and herpetofauna monitoring schemes in other European
countries. The statutory agencies that funded the exercise were of
course keen for a national surveillance and monitoring system to be
developed, and all consultees (i.e. potential stakeholders) who took
part displayed an overwhelming support for NARRS. Many of the ARGs
offered to be involved in the design stages as well as the full roll-out,
and were keen to be kept updated. LRCs welcomed the potential for
generating more data of use to their users. |
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Key
objectives, information needs, methods and logistical issues were
explored in depth during the scoping exercise, and structural and
cost implications were examined in detail. NARRS will require large-scale
volunteer involvement to deliver its formal monitoring programme,
but a second informal tier will achieve the goals of involving a wide
cross-section of people, raising awareness and appreciation. |
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| The reports submitted to English Nature and Countryside Council for Wales are available here: | |||
| English Nature Research Report 663 | |||
| Countryside Council for Wales Contract Science Report 666 | |||
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References |
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Baker,
J. 2003. Great Crested Newt Pilot Monitoring Project (Glamorgan,
Hampshire, Kent and Sussex). Froglife Report. |
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Baker,
J., Suckling, J. & Carey, R. 2004. Status of the adder
Vipera berus and slow-worm Anguis fragilis in England.
English Nature Research Report, 546, Peterborough. |
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Gleed-Owen,
C.P. 2004a. Initial surveillance baseline datasets for
the sand lizard Lacerta agilis, natterjack toad Bufo calamita
and smooth snake Coronella austriaca in England. Report for
English Nature, Peterborough. |
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Gleed-Owen,
C.P. 2004b. Initial surveillance baseline datasets for
the sand lizard Lacerta agilis and natterjack toad Bufo
calamita in Wales. Report for Countryside Council for Wales, Bangor.
|
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Gleed-Owen,
C., Buckley, J., Coneybeer, J., Gent, T., McCracken, M., Moulton,
N & Wright, D. 2005a. Costed plans and options for herpetofauna
surveillance and monitoring. English Nature Research Report, Peterborough. |
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Gleed-Owen,
C., Buckley, J., Coneybeer, J., Gent, T., McCracken, M., Moulton,
N & Wright, D. 2005b. Costed plans and options for herpetofauna
surveillance and monitoring. Contract Science Report No. 666, Countryside
Council for Wales, Bangor. |
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Swan,
M.J.S. & Oldham, R.S.1989. Amphibian communities. Final
report. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough. |
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Swan,
M.J.S. & Oldham, R.S. 1993a. Herptile sites volume 1: national
amphibian survey final report. EN Research report, 38, Peterborough. |
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Swan,
M.J.S. & Oldham, R.S. 1993b. Herptile sites volume 2: national
common reptile survey final report. EN Research report, 38, Peterborough. |
