Pond survey methodologies
We offer a range of pond survey methods from rapid water quality assessments, and habitat suitability indexes, to full species lists for Predictive SYstem for Multimetrics (PSYM), and National Pond Survey (NPS) assessments.
Habitat Suitability Index for great crested newt (HSI)
Primarily aimed at great crested newt, HSI assessments can be used as an indicator of general pond health and suitability to support a wider range of species. These daytime scoping surveys can be conducted all year round but optimally should be carried out between March and September. During the survey we score the ponds and surrounding habitat on a number of criteria to determine the likelihood of occupation by great crested newts.
For further details of great crested newt surveys please click here.
Rapid Assessment
Rapid Assessments utilise an invertebrate survey as an indicator of biological quality and the overall ‘naturalness’ of ponds, and is suitable for ponds and lakes up to 5ha in area. The methodology applies numerical values to twelve groups of aquatic invertebrates, a sum of those present within a pond provides a score of water quality with a high score indicating a pond supports animals typical of high quality waterbodies, and lower scores likely to be in poorer condition.
Pond Habitat Surveys
Pond habitat surveys use a modified version of the Freshwater Habitats Trust’s PondNet survey methodology, itself an expanded version of the Habitat Suitability Index for great crested newt. These assessments give an overview of general pond habitats and their condition and are ideal for establishing baseline data to direct practical management and pond restoration works.
Predictive SYstem for Multimetrics (PSYM)
The standard method for professional pond surveys provides an assessment of a ponds ecological quality in comparison to ponds nationally. The survey method entails the creation of a full list of plant species and invertebrate families found at the site along with basic water chemistry information, the survey data is then analysed against a national database. PSYM surveys may only be conducted between June and August.
National Pond Survey (NPS)
Another method for professional pond surveys the NPS methodology records the main physical features of a pond and its surroundings, water chemistry, lists of wetland plant species, lists of aquatic macroinvertebrate species, and notes on the presence and abundance of amphibians, water birds, and fish. NPS requires three site visits throughout the year March-May, June-August, and September-November.
Wetland plant and animal surveys
As well as the standard pond survey methodologies mentioned above we can cover all your individual survey requirements for wetland plants, aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, water birds, and fish. Working with our team of associates all works are conducted by suitably knowledgeable, skilled, experienced, and licenced ecologists.
Pond creation and management
As well as a full suite of survey options we can provide a full compliment of practical aspects of pond design, construction, management, and restoration.
Contact us today to book your pond survey
We can help with all of your pond survey, creation and management requirements get in touch for your free quotation
- Habitat Suitability Index (GCN HSI) scoping surveys.
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys.
- Rapid Assessment for ponds.
- Pond habitat surveys.
- Predictive SYstem for Multimetrics (PSYM).
- National Pond Survey (NPS).
- Wetland plant surveys.
- Aquatic macroinvertebrate surveys.
- Amphibian surveys.
- Water bird surveys.
- Fish surveys.
- Non-native invasive species survey and management.
- Pond design.
- Pond creation.
- Pond habitat management.
- Pond restoration.
- Terrestrial habitat creation and management.
- Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW).
