Invertebrates

A number of invertebrates are offered full protection under the Wildlife & Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended). However, invertebrate surveys are generally required where a full assessment of the ecological value of a site is required, for example during Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) or where an inventory of species is required to inform management works, for example, on a designated site or nature reserve.

ECOSA use a number of specific techniques to survey for terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, to identify scarce species and key habitat areas. Survey work includes pitfall traps, sweep netting, light traps and grubbing. In order to cover all the activity periods for all the species, survey work ideally needs to extend from April until September. However, basic assessments of the potential of the on-site habitat to support important communities of invertebrates can be carried out throughout the year.

Our project experience includes creation of species inventories for statutory and non-statutory designated sites, and numerous surveys for proposed development sites including roads and housing developments. ECOSA carried out extensive invertebrate surveys for a number of sites included within the bid to designate the Darwin Landscape Laboratory as a World Heritage Site. These surveys included assessments of areas of land used by Darwin for his research into natural selection.

Minimum survey requirements for invertebrates: There is no standard requirement for the survey of invertebrates. An initial site visit would be followed up by species specific inspections throughout the summer months.