APEM provide a comprehensive range of walkover surveys, covering both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Our field scientists have been providing expert advice to a wide range of clients, from the Environment Agency and water companies to local authorities and private developers for many years, trusting us to deliver an expert and responsive service.
Aquatic ecological habitat assessments
Walkover surveys of river habitats using field mapping techniques provide a detailed representation of the precise location and extent of various habitat features.
River habitat survey (RHS) is a classification system to describe the physical features that occur in different river types to provide a standard multifunctional habitat assessment technique for rivers.
APEM have undertaken hundreds of baseline river habitat surveys across England and Wales on behalf on the Environment Agency to ensure compliance with the EU Habitats Directive.
Diffuse pollution tracing and mitigation
Catchment-wide diffuse pollution and deposition of excessive fine sediment are major pressures on freshwater ecology and water quality. APEM collaborated with the Environment Agency to develop a standardised methodology for the identification and classification of diffuse pollution sources.
This method involved a walkover survey of priority waterbodies and surrounding landscape to identify sources of fine sediment and other diffuse contaminants, encompassing more than 25,000 potential sources on over 10,000 km of river.
APEM conduct salmonid and coarse fish habitat walkover mapping to generate a baseline of habitat availability. Field walkover maps are transcribed into GIS to provide user-friendly data showing the relative abundance and spatial distribution of the various habitats identified. The information also shows features of note, such as in-river obstructions that are potential barriers to migrating fish and river flow.
As well as carrying out walkover surveys, our field team also provide expert advice on the design of the surveys and strategies for delivering them, co-ordinating all aspects to ensure that they are delivered on time and to budget.
With offices throughout the UK and Ireland, we have a large and highly experienced field team, ensuring that we can mobilise to any location, quickly.
Our range of aquatic and terrestrial surveys include:
The team at APEM would be happy to answer any questions you have about ecological walkover surveys. Please use the form below to get in touch.
