National vegetation classification surveys have been an important element of our work since 1994. 

The importance of accurate plant identification and the relationship of communities to their natural physical environment and the effects of management have always featured highly in our surveys. 

• Early work, funded by the Forestry Commission and Natural England looked at the effects of afforestation on upland plant communities in Kielder Forest. 

• The Countryside Council for Wales (now Natural Resources Wales) funded surveys of  lowland coastal heaths and saltmarshes across Wales. 

• The RSPB and Natural England funded extensive survey and monitoring of the floodplain meadows of the Somerset Levels; 

• floodplain meadow work was extended by Silsoe College and the Open University to investigate many other floodplain systems across the UK.

• In addition surveys were carried out at many RSPB and NE reserves  across England, Wales and Scotland.

Important publications have arisen from these surveys including the recognition of new plant communities of plantation forest, lowland wet heathland, and a complete revision of the lowland wet neutral grassland communities of the NVC.