NRA Ecological Survey maciek 3/19/09 11:55 AM Page i Ecological Surveying Techniques for Protected Flora and Fauna during the Planning of National Road Schemes NRA Ecological Survey maciek 3/19/09 11:55 AM Page ii Ecological Surveying Techniques for Protected Flora and Fauna during the Planning of National Road Schemes ii NRA Ecological Survey maciek 3/19/09 11:55 AM Page iii CONTENTS Chapter 1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2 Structure of the ‘Survey Guidelines’ .................................................... 2 Chapter 3 Survey considerations ........................................................................... 3 3.1 Recognising and dealing with key potential constraints/limitations 3 3.1.1 Seasonal constraints .................................................................... 3 3.1.2 Climatic conditions ...................................................................... 3 3.1.3 Inter-annual variation ................................................................. 3 3.1.4 Access limitations ........................................................................ 3 3.2 Survey effort ......................................................................................... 3 3.3 Survey standards ................................................................................... 5 3.4 Establishing baseline conditions .......................................................... 5 3.5 Monitoring ............................................................................................ 5 3.6 Future use of survey information ........................................................ 6 3.7 Health and Safety Considerations ....................................................... 6 Chapter 4 Survey techniques ................................................................................. 7 4.1 Desk studies .......................................................................................... 7 4.2 Multi-disciplinary walkover surveys .................................................... 7 4.3 Group-specific and species-specific surveys ........................................ 7 Group Specific Guidance Notes and Key Cards : Habitats, Plants and Fungi – Group Specific Guidance Note ....................................... 9 General characteristics of the group ................................................................ 10 Potential impacts of road projects ................................................................... 10 Survey techniques ............................................................................................. 10 iii Surveys to be undertaken as part of multidisciplinary walkover ................... 11 Habitat Survey ................................................................................................... 11 Species composition assessment ....................................................................... 11 Hedgerow survey .............................................................................................. 11 Surveys to be undertaken of particular sites or features ............................... 11 Species-specific surveys ..................................................................................... 12 Plant and fungal community surveys to assess conservation importance ..... 12 River Habitat Surveys (RHS) and River Corridor Surveys (RCS) ....................... 13 Mitigation, compensation and enhancement ................................................. 13 Key reference .................................................................................................... 14 KEY CARD: Varnished hook-moss ( Hamatocaulis vernicosus ) ................................... 15 KEY CARD: Killarney fern ( Trichomanes speciosum ) .................................................. 17 KEY CARD: Sedges and GrassesSlender Cottongrass ( Eriophorum gracile ) .............. 19 KEY CARD: Marsh Saxifrage ( Saxifraga hirculus ) ........................................................ 23 KEY CARD: Orchids Irish lady’s-tresses ( Spiranthes romanzoffiana ) .......................... 25 TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATES ...................................................................................... 29 Group-specific Guidance Note: Terrestrial Invertebrates ................................ 30 General characteristics of the group ................................................................ 30 Potential impacts of road projects ................................................................... 30 Survey techniques ............................................................................................. 31 Mitigation, compensation, enhancement ....................................................... 31 KEY CARD: Marsh Snails ( Vertigo spp. ) ....................................................................... 33 KEY CARD: Kerry Slug ( Geomalacus maculosus ) ........................................................ 37 KEY CARD: Marsh Fritillary ( Euphydryas aurinia ) ...................................................... 41 NRA Ecological Survey maciek 3/19/09 11:55 AM Page iv Ecological Surveying Techniques for Protected Flora and Fauna during the Planning of National Road Schemes AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES ............................................................................................ 45 Group-specific Guidance Note: Aquatic Invertebrates ................................... 46 General characteristics of the group ................................................................ 46 Potential impacts of road projects ................................................................... 46 Survey techniques ............................................................................................. 46 Mitigation, Compensation, Enhancement ....................................................... 48 KEY CARD: Freshwater Pearl Mussel ( Margaritifera margaritifera ) .......................... 49 KEY CARD: White-clawed crayfish ( Austropotamobius pallipes )............................... 53 FISH ................................................................................................................................ 57 Group-specific Guidance Note: Fish ................................................................. 58 General characteristics of the group ................................................................ 58 Potential impacts of road projects ................................................................... 58 Survey techniques ............................................................................................. 59 Mitigation, compensation and enhancement ................................................. 60 Key reference .................................................................................................... 61 KEY CARD: Lamprey Species ........................................................................................ 63 KEY CARD: Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar ) .................................................................. 67 KEY CARD: Shad Species .............................................................................................. 71 AMPHIBIANS .................................................................................................................. 75 Group-specific Guidance Note: Amphibians .................................................... 76 General characteristics of the group ................................................................ 76 Potential impacts of road projects ................................................................... 76 Survey techniques ............................................................................................. 76 Mitigation, compensation and enhancement ................................................ 76 KEY CARD: Smooth newt ( Triturus (Lissotriton) vulgaris ) .......................................... 79 iv KEY CARD: Common frog ( Rana temporaria ) ............................................................. 83 REPTILES ......................................................................................................................... 85 Group-specific Guidance Note: Reptiles .......................................................... 86 General Characteristics ..................................................................................... 86 Potential Impacts of Road Projects .................................................................. 86 Survey Techniques ............................................................................................. 86 Mitigation, compensation and enhancement ................................................ 87 KEY CARD: Viviparous lizard ( Lacerta (Zootoca) vivipara ) ......................................... 89 BIRDS .............................................................................................................................. 93 Group-specific Guidance Note: Birds ............................................................... 94 General characteristics of the group ................................................................ 94 Potential impacts of road projects .................................................................. 94 Survey Techniques ............................................................................................. 94 Breeding bird surveys ........................................................................................ 95 Wintering bird surveys .....................................................................................