The UKHab Survey App #2 – Completing a full survey

In this guide we’re going to look at completing a full UKHab Survey in the app. This article is based on using the UKHab Survey v3.0 (Statutory Metric) edition.

Instructions

• Make sure you are in the relevant UKHab Survey project on your device and select the Add Record button.

• Choose the UKHab survey form

You’ll now be on the Location page for the record. There are two main workflows from this point:

1. Adding a habitat feature directly in the UKHab Survey.
2. Selecting a pre-surveyed habitat feature.

In these instructions we assume that you already have a pre-surveyed habitat feature to work with. However, in practice, you may also add a geometry directly in the full UKHab Survey form (i.e. without the need to pre-survey). If you wish to do this, skip ahead to the next section titled “Applying Habitat Codes“.

• Choose the Layer Switcher icon (highlighted below)

The first step is to make sure that you can see your pre-survey form data, and that you have your preferred base mapping selected (here we will work with the Satellite layer).

• Make sure that the UKHab pre-survey form layer is visible (tap the eye icon to activate it if not).
• Select the Satellite layer, if not already selected.
• Click on the “X” to exit the Layer Switcher window.

You should now be able to see any pre-survey features you’ve added on the map.

• Locate the pre-survey feature you would like to perform the full UKHab survey on and tap on it to select it.
• The only option you now have is to copy the feature’s geometry. Select the Copy Geometry button

You’ll now see the habitat feature in a selected and editable state.

The Copy Geometry feature duplicates the feature’s geometry for use in the full survey. It uses the pre-survey feature as a template. This means that if you edit the location of nodes (vertices) you will see the pre-survey layer beneath, as shown in the image above. This enables you to correct any issues with pre-surveyed geometries when ground truthing.

• Make any adjustments to the feature’s geometry to make it accurate. Note the pre-survey layer is visible beneath.

If you are working with a polygon, all the geometry tools will be available at this stage via the Wrench icon. For more detailed info on how to use them you can read our guide here.

• Select Next when you’re happy.

Applying Habitat Codes

You’ll now work through classifying your habitat.

• Select the relevant level 2 code for your habitat feature using the dropdown menu provided.

• As you select each level the subsequent level’s classifications will become available for you to select. To reach the screen below we have already selected Grassland (g) and Neutral Grassland (g3).
• If you need help with any of the codes, you can select the (i) icon to show all of the information that UKHab provides in their documentation on that code.

• Once you have keyed out your habitat to the appropriate level, select the Next button to move on to add your Secondary Codes.

Add Secondary Codes

The app now presents you with the Secondary codes selection screen. These are split into essential and additional codes.

Notes:

• You can apply a maximum of 6 codes to any habitat feature, split across both categories.
• Only codes relevant to the habitat type you have selected will be shown.
• Codes marked with an asterisk (*) are those codes used by the metric.

• Choose Select essential secondary codes

You’ll see a selection of codes presented in a multi-select list.

• Choose the codes relevant to your habitat
• Tap on the (i) icon for further information on each code.

• Choose Confirm when you are ready
• Now choose Select additional secondary codes if you wish to add any.
• Once you are happy with your selection choose Next.

Add Species Records

The method of adding species lists to your habitat feature has undergone a significant update in v3.0.

Notes:

1. Version 3.0 prioritises adding species via quadrats or linear sections. However, you can also add general species observations for the habitat feature either alone or in addition to using sampling methods. The latter is useful where you observe important species away from your sample sites.
2. You have the option of using either DAFOR or DOMIN as your cover abundance measure.
3. The species list is based on Stace 2019 and so comprises a full UK botanical list.
4. As Stace does not include hybrids, the list features an “Other” category. Select this to add specific species not found in the list.
5. If you cannot identify species in the field, use the provided “Unidentified Species A-J” species list entries and update these back in the office.
6. The list now also includes all UK bryophytes (BBS) and lichens (BLS).

To add species records:

• Select whether you wish to add species in quadrats/linear sections or as a general list for the habitat feature.

In this example we’ll add species in a quadrat.

• Add the relevant details about your quadrat, including its number, size and location within the feature.

Note that when recording location you may switch to record a LineString for linear sections.

Next, you will add the species. The list within the app contains the full UK species list (based on Stace 2019) and also the full UK bryophyte and lichen lists.

The top of the list comprises a selection of very common species, along with a number of “Unidentified Species” options and the opportunity to record species not in the list by using “Other”.

You can search the list by either scientific or common name (but note that not all species will be represented with a common name).

Once you have added species to a record they will appear in the Recent tab, which allows you to build a species list quickly e.g. for repeated quadrats on the same feature.

• After adding a species, use either DAFOR or DOMIN for recording the cover abundance. Scrolling further down the page you have the option of adding any relevant notes and photos.

• Choose Done when your record is complete

• You will now be taken back to the Add Species page where you can create additional species for this sample.
• Once you have completed all of the species records tap Done.

You’ll now have the opportunity to either:

• Provide details of additional quadrats (therefore, repeat the above steps), or
• Provide ‘general’ species records, e.g. those you need to record which fall outside of your sample areas. This might include observations of species of conservation interest or INNS.

Adding Condition Assessments and additional information

Condition assessments are built into the app. In this section, you decide if you wish to record condition.

Based on the habitat codes applied earlier in the process you will only see the relevant condition assessment questions.

• Choose Yes to add a condition assessment, or No if you aren’t doing the survey in relation to BNG.

If completing a condition assessment, many of the questions might be mandatory.

• Select the relevant responses and then tap Next.

Add Notes

v3.0 of the UKHab Survey presents you with a notes field for each question within the condition assessment, to mirror how you will need to provide details in reporting.

The final screen in the survey also provides you with the option to:

1. Add photos to support each of the above.
2. Add text notes on the habitat.

• Once you have completed the above, select Done.

Summary and Submission

You’ll now see a summary of your record, where you can review the data before submission.

• If you’re happy with your record select Save and Sync, if you’re online. If offline, Save will skip the attempt to submit the record and will store it immediately in your Pending folder.

• You now have the option to either submit another record or to exit and return to the home page.
• Choose Exit to return to the home page.

Your record can now be viewed on the home page map.

• To ensure you can see it, select the Map Settings icon and make sure that the UKHab survey data is set as visible in the Form Layers section.
• You might also want to overlay other layer information such as quadrat data. Simply toggle on (or off) the layers you need.