The importance of the consistency of botanical recording in large scale surveys was recognised by CEH (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology) for the national Countryside Surveys carried out periodically since 1978. Ecological Surveys provided scientific and technical support for the 1990 and 2000 countryside surveys and subsequent farm steward monitoring schemes carried out by CEH in Wales.

We were commissioned to develop a methodology for assessing the efficiency and accuracy of plot location and species recording during these surveys where large numbers of different surveyors are employed. The work involved intensive training courses for the surveyors in both field methodology and species identification. The quality assurance exercise itself involved re-recording a subset of the plots and assessing the efficiency of plot location and botanical recording.

Species mismatches were assigned to one of a number of categories relating to reliability of identification, the overlooking of species and the mis-alignment of the original plot. A series of indices have been devised to assess the overall efficiency of the botanical survey of each pair of surveyors and to highlight any consistent shortfalls that could be improved upon with further training. Values are compared with figures of maximum recorder efficiency published by other large scale surveys. The results are an integral part of the data analysis and reporting on change statistics in species richness and turnover. 

Prosser, M.V. and Wallace, H.L. (1993). Countryside Survey 1990 quality assurance exercise. Executive summary presented as Appendix IV in Barr, C. et.al. (eds). Countryside Survey 1990. Main Report. DOE.

Wallace, H.L. and Prosser, M.V. (2014 - 2016). Glastir Quality Control exercise. Report to CEH, Lancaster.

Wallace, H.L. (2019 – 2023). ERAMMP Quality Control exercise. Report to CEH, Bangor.

Wallace, H.L. (2019 – 2023). UKSCAPE quality assurance exercise. Report to CEH, Bangor.