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  • Community Biodiversity Audit Handbook

Cymraeg

Science Shops Wales Publications - Community Biodiversity Audit

Here is Science Shops Wales' guide on carrying out a local Community Biodiversity Audit.
In 2007, the Science Shops team supported the residents of Cwmaman in the Cynon Valley, Rhondda Cynon Taf, in carrying out an ‘audit’ of the habitats and wildlife in their local environment. The knowledge gained from the experience of facilitating the audit has been distilled into a handbook for the use of community groups throughout the whole of Wales. Scroll down the page to download a free copy of the handbook.

Doing a Local Community Biodiversity Audit: a Handbook for Community Groups in Wales
The handbook gives step by step guidance on setting up and running a community biodiversity audit. It is written mainly for people who are not professional naturalists or ecologists, although we hope it will interest people from all sorts of backgrounds. It includes ideas on ways to get people interested, tips for running a successful event, how to get funding, how to find some expert help and some suggestions for taking action using the results.

We have also tried to set down the basic technical information that auditors will need in a way that is as easy to follow as possible. This includes advice on recognising the different habitats in Wales, and guidance on auditing the different types of wildlife. In the appendices, on the CD in the back of the published version of the handbook or downloadable PDF file, you will find examples of most of the documents and forms needed as well as a database for recording results.

Why do a community biodiversity audit?
Most local authorities have carried out biodiversity surveys that cover the whole of their area. The results are usually published as a ‘Local Biodiversity Action Plan’ describing the types of habitats in the area and the species of wildlife, especially those that are of national and local importance. They set out action plans to protect species of special interest and to enhance habitats. This information often has an influence on local authorities when they make decisions about nature conservation and local development.
However, most local authorities readily admit that they aren’t able to audit all parts of their area in great detail, even with the help of local wildlife groups and recorders. Most ecologists agree that lots more information on a very local level is really what’s needed. And the real experts in any area are the people that live there!
As well as local authority wildlife records, there are local and national biodiversity recording centres who would welcome hearing about your results.

The benefits of doing a community biodiversity audit
Develop the skills needed to monitor local biodiversity and learn about wildlife. You can pass on this knowledge to younger generations as time goes by.

Become more aware of biodiversity issues. Even those people in your community who don’t take part in the audit will begin to take some interest in the environment.

Help create a bank of wildlife information for your community. Local people will be able to add to this and compare results in future years.

Keep an eye on the health of your local environment. You can use the information as benchmark data to measure the effects of climate change. Only by knowing which species and habitats are most threatened, will you be able to take action to protect them.

Measure how well your area is recovering from the effects of pollution.
Gain a sense of well-being and closeness to the natural world. People begin to feel that they really belong to their area and value it more. They may then decide to become more active in protecting the environment from threats such as unsuitable development, and be more involved in projects that help the community.

Take action to protect wildlife and its habitats. This could include making ‘biodiversity corridors’ and putting up nest boxes.

Find out if you have any interesting habitats or species that need to be protected. The evidence you gather could be used to oppose planning applications that offer no benefit to your area.

Make friends and strengthen bonds within the community.
The book is available for free download or you can contact us to order your free printed copy (Orders from community groups in Wales or people intending to set up such a group will be given priority).

Downloads
Note: To download and save these files Right-Click on the links or icons below and select Save Target As...

Doing a Local Community Biodiversity Audit: Note: Large .PDF file: 7.9 MB

Appendices. PDF file: 1 MB

Database for recording biodiversity auditing data.
MS Access .mdb file 4 MB

Published Book
Contact Us to order your free printed copy of the book
including the Appendices on CD.
Orders from community groups in Wales or people intending to set up such a group will be given priority.

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