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Assessing Hydrology Impacts and Habitat Management Needs

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Assessing Isle of Wight Sites Through Vegetation Surveys

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Water & EcologyWater & Ecology

Industry

Conservation Programs

Location

United Kingdom

ECOSA, commissioned by the Isle of Wight Council and funded by the Environment Agency, conducted vegetation surveys at 25 wetland sites. Using fieldwork, computer analysis, and GIS mapping, ECOSA delivered robust baseline data to assess hydrology impacts and highlight where conservation management could halt declining ecological value due to natural succession.

Challenge

The Isle of Wight Council required detailed ecological data for designated Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and other potential ecological sites where information was lacking. Many wetlands and grasslands were unmanaged, leading to natural succession from open, species-rich wet grassland and marsh to less valuable tall herb fen and willow carr. Without intervention, these changes threatened site biodiversity and future resilience to water abstraction and hydrological shifts.

 

Solutions

ECOSA’s team surveyed 25 sites, recording dominant species and classifying vegetation to National Vegetation Classification (NVC) community or sub-community level. Quadrat samples were taken using the DOMIN method, then analysed using computer tools to confirm classifications. All habitats were mapped with GIS software to build a comprehensive record. ECOSA provided targeted recommendations to restore and maintain open, species-rich wetland habitats, helping the Council and Environment Agency prioritise conservation management and set baselines for future ecological monitoring.

 

Services Performed

The team conducted vegetation surveys and ecological site assessments, identifying NVC communities through quadrat sampling with the DOMIN method. They developed GIS habitat maps and provided conservation management recommendations to support long-term ecological stewardship.

Results

The project established a clear ecological baseline for 25 sites, including previously under-recorded or undesignated habitats. The findings revealed that unmanaged sites were trending towards lower ecological value. ECOSA’s clear, site-specific management recommendations gave the Council and Environment Agency a practical roadmap to improve habitat quality, maintain wetland biodiversity, and inform decisions about hydrology and water abstraction impacts in the future.

 

25

New sites comprehensively surveyed

3

New sites assessed for ecological interest

1

Baseline established for future wetland monitoring