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Home » Objectives (Project 2)
Objectives
The UKBMS will be focusing on two linked objectives until 2008:
- integration and expansion of the existing network of butterfly transects which effectively sample habitat specialist butterflies on semi-natural sites,
- development of a new monitoring scheme for common species in the wider countryside, based upon random sampling to be representative of the UK landscape as a whole.
See details of Project 1 or Project 2
Project 2. Develop and test a method for assessing the abundance of butterflies in the wider countryside.
Scheme design
- Model when and how often to sample, through analysis of existing transect data
- Design a sampling method, e.g. where and how to sample butterflies in the wider countryside
- Run a workshop to identify methods to be tested during field trials
Field testing
- Identify the most efficient and robust method for monitoring wider countryside butterflies
- Field test a range of potential recording methods in 2006 using a researcher
- Development of a web-based data entry system for use by volunteers
- Expand field test using volunteers (BC and BTO) to two pilot areas in 2007 (southern England and an Upland area)
Assessment of volunteer potential
- In 2005/6, assess the potential of volunteer surveyors to take part in a wider countryside scheme
- In 2007/8 obtain feedback on proposals for wider countryside scheme from butterfly (BC/CEH) and bird recorders (BTO) as well as potential recorders in partner organisations (RSPB, NT, WT, Agencies etc.)
- Assess likely take-up of scheme and retention of volunteer recorders
