NVC (National Vegetation Classification) Habitat Sampling in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Tender description

The Wild Watch is a new project based in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) on the eastern edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Nidderdale is one of 46 AONBs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that have been designated because of their nationally important landscapes. The Wild Watch will enable people to play an active part in conserving Nidderdale’s natural heritage by helping them gather natural history data that will be used to improve habitats for wildlife. The project will combine the power of citizen science, a dynamic partnership approach and the latest research to gather natural heritage records, reconnect communities to their local natural heritage and pioneer a new way of delivering conservation action on a landscape scale. The resulting species data will feed into existing datasets and create a reliable baseline that can be used for future monitoring and conservation planning. The data for 10 of these species will be used to generate Habitat Suitability Models (HSM) and fine resolution habitat suitability maps, which will inform Species Recovery Action Plans to deliver conservation on a landscape scale across Nidderdale AONB. As part of the HSM modelling work we require the creation of a habitat distribution map for Nidderdale AONB. The tender document outlines the input required to the project from an experienced spatial analyst who can develop and implement a method for estimating habitat type from remotely sensed imagery and environmental parameters. Keywords: AONB, Nidderdale, conservation, NVC, Wild Watch, Habitat