NPMN standard
Pond Survey Methods
There are a range of pond survey methods available to suit people with
different interests and levels of experience.
-
PSYM (pronounced "sim") method
This standard
method provides an assessment of the ecological quality of a site compared to
ponds nationally. It requires basic environmental information including pH and
identification of the plant species and /or invertebrate families found at the
site. The assessment can be carried out via this website and data
entered will be added to the National Ponds Database.
More details & manual
-
National Pond Survey (NPS) method
This method
requires considerable expertise to assessing a wide range of environmental
and chemical characteristics of a site and identification of plant and
invertebrate species. It has been used for a number of national studies and is
the recommended method for detailed professional assessment of a site.
Download manual
-
Dragonfly and damselfly fieldsheet
This fieldsheet
has been developed by the British Dragonfly Society for recording the use
of ponds by dragonfly and damselfly species. It is intended to be used on its
own, or with the basic NPMN survey form (1 above).
Download fieldsheet
-
A
standard survey method for amphibians is being developed with partners in
the National Pond Monitoring Network and will be added here soon.
-
A
standard survey method for water voles is being developed with partners in the
National Pond Monitoring Network and will be added here soon.
Grid
References
For all records it is
essential to have correct location information - if you are unfamiliar with
working out Grid References there is a good interactive guide on the
Ordnance Survey website
