Verifying and Recording Soil and Vegetation

What to do

• Make one recording every 10 ha each year

• Measure wetness & depth of soil

• Photograph vegetation

• Record the condition of the vegetation

Undertake this process annually for three years. Try and carry out the survey at the same time of year each year. For more information about how to assess the vegetation and soil, see the government guidance.

Equipment needed

• a map

• a smartphone

• a pole for measuring peat depth (ideally with marks every 10cm)

  • non-peat - if the pole meets resistance at a depth of less than 5cm

  • shallow peat if the pole meets resistance at a depth of between 5-40cm

  • deep peat - if the pole meets resistance at a depth of over 40cm

• a plant identification sheet

We have trialled using C.K T5410 Mighty Cable Rods to do this and found it worked well. They can be purchased at many different suppliers. We tested using Smooth Black Hammerite Direct to Rust Metal Paint to put the marks on the rod and found that this worked well.

How to assess the area

Next up: learn how to evaluate the public goods or potential public goods based on the vegetation and soil condition.