Post-Intervention Tool Q&As
Setup & Data Import
I don’t have a baseline in Coreo. Can I use the tool?
For the automatic comparison to work, you currently need to have a baseline survey in Coreo. However, we are looking at ways to enable you to import baseline data into Coreo from other sources.
Can I upload shapefiles?
Yes. However, your Shapefiles should be checked carefully to ensure they contain correctly formed geometries. For example, polygons with no area will cause problems in the tool. At this time Shapefiles will need to be edited and cleaned up first in an external GIS tool, but we are in the process of building tools to allow you to analyse and correct imported files.
Can I import CAD files into the tool?
No, currently you can’t import CAD files. You will need to convert them to a Shapefile first.
Is there a set .shp or .GDB template for inputting of proposals into the tool?
Not yet. Importing a Shapefile currently just pulls in the geometry. However, we are looking at creating a template along with attribute mapping to enable you to import these data.
For phased developments, will I need an individual project for each baseline iteration?
If you would like to keep a version of each baseline then we would suggest each is held in a new project. If you contact the Coreo team we can duplicate your whole project with all its records in it, and then you can amend the baseline. If you just want to update the baseline in the current project, and then use the updated version in post-intervention, you can use the “duplicate and sync with latest” baseline functionality in post-intervention. All previously created plans will keep a copy of the original baseline, so you will still have an audit trail.
Is it possible to start from a blank canvas in the post-intervention layer without a baseline?
No, you will need a baseline in Coreo for the automatic comparisons and BNG percentage calculations to work.
Workflows & Planning
Managing Habitats
Is there a way to consolidate habitats of the same type in the metric?
Not yet, but this is next on our roadmap and we are currently exploring the functionality.
Is it possible to lose and then re-create the same habitat, or an enhanced habitat of the same broad habitat type and mark it as a creation? For example, if I am retaining an area of habitat but I know that during development it will be destroyed and recreated.
Yes it is. Select a feature and turn on the “Force-creation” toggle within the select feature panel, to turn it into a creation.
How do I flag a habitat or tree as irreplaceable?
This is done in your baseline. Any tree that is marked as veteran or ancient is automatically irreplaceable, as are various habitats. We will add a manual “irreplaceable” flag to habitats where these can vary. This will be coming to Coreo soon.
If I change a feature to be a lower distinctiveness habitat in the same broad habitat type (e.g. other neutral grassland to modified grassland), will the tool flag it as creation because it’s a lowering of distinctiveness rather than defaulting to enhancement?
Yes. Anything that creates an error in the enhancement tab of the metric (lower distinctiveness, lower condition, or a break in trading rules) will be classified as a creation.
Can I automatically assign strategic significance?
Strategic significance is assigned in the baseline section of Coreo. You can select all or multiple records to assign the same strategic significance simultaneously. If you copy a baseline feature into your plan it will keep the same strategic significance, but if you create a new feature you will need to manually add it.
Boundaries & Buffers
Can I add a blueline boundary to get offsite uplift?
Not yet, but this functionality is on the roadmap.
Can I add buffers to hedgerows and lines of trees?
Not yet, but this functionality is on the roadmap.
What about watercourses outside but within 10 metres of the redline boundary? Are these counted in the BNG calculation?
No, they are not currently counted, but we are currently looking into this functionality.
Metrics & Exporting
Can I export out to the metric?
Yes the final output is a fully populated metric workbook. You can also export an image of the map with an automatically generated legend.
Does the export include trees as well?
Yes. Currently each tree occupies a separate row in the metric, but we will provide the option to combine trees of the same type into one row.
Does the tool automatically pull in the tree area from the tree area helper in the metric?
Coreo automatically calculates the tree area for the purposes of the metric.
Is there a way to make comments that are added to the metric?
Yes. If you add comments to the comments box in the selected feature panel, these will be added to the comments column of the metric on export.
Does the spreadsheet output include feature labels? And, if so, how does this handle situations where post-intervention features overlap multiple baseline features?
Yes. Post-intervention feature names are included in the last column of the metric (the Habitat reference column). If it is an enhancement or creation it will also show the Coreo ID and feature name (if it has one) in brackets afterwards, so you can understand what baseline the creation or enhancement came from.
Can I extract plans out of the tool into .shp/.GDB with attribution?
You can export your plans as attributed shapefiles, geoJSON and as a GeoPackage.
Troubleshooting
I can’t create a plan. There’s a warning symbol saying my baseline isn’t complete. What should I do?
For the post-intervention comparisons to work all your current baseline records need to be completed. They must have an area/length, a metric habitat, a strategic significance, and a completed condition assessment. Your baseline must also have a redline boundary and no overlaps in its geometry.
I’ve uploaded a shapefile and the post-intervention tool is not working. Why?
This is because the shapefile does not contain “clean” geometry. (e.g. linestring that is actually polygons with points sitting on top of each other, or polygons with no areas). We are working on a tool to help in this area, but for the moment please remove these problem geometries in an external GIS tool and try again.
I have a watercourse in my plan but it’s not showing me the comparison with the baseline.
For watercourses with condition assessments done in an external RCA, you will need to add the condition and encroachment information to the baseline features. Click on the watercourse in the baseline layer, add the condition information and then copy the watercourse to your plan.
Coming next
Find out what’s coming next on our roadmap.