SPU CO23-2023 - National Limestone Pavement and Juniper Survey 2023

Descriptions

• Review and revise where necessary the monitoring methods developed by Wilson and Fernández (2013) • Undertake the monitoring of conservation status of a representative sample of the limestone pavement and associated habitats across the country (22 sites; 203 monitoring stops) • Provide recommendations for updating Conservation Objectives and Standard Data Forms of SACs, as required • Update and undertake the National Conservation Status Assessment of limestone pavement (8240) in Ireland Data arising from Wilson and Fernández (2013) including IWM 73, spatial data, the NLS database and metadata can be accessed at http://www.npws.ie/maps-and-data/habitat-and-species-data. The 2013 and 2019 National Conservation Status Assessments collated data for each habitat from all sources. Assessment forms and Audit Trails for each habitat can be accessed as part of NPWS (2013a,b; 2019a,b) and all relevant data and metadata used to derive distribution maps is available at http://www.npws.ie/maps-and-data/habitat-and-species-data/article-17-reporting-data. Limestone pavement tasks and project deliverables 1. Examine the reports and data arising from the pilot study in 2008, Wilson and Fernández, (2013), the 2013 National Conservation Status Assessment, the 2019 National Conservation Status Assessment and any other relevant reports, publications, guidelines etc. 2. Based on the list provided in Table 1 propose a timetable for survey of the sites. Further details about these sites can be found in Appendix 8 of IWM 73 (Wilson and Fernández, 2013). 3. Review the monitoring and assessment methodologies used in Wilson and Fernández (2013). Based on initial field testing, make recommendations for revisions, giving consideration inter alia to the following; a. The delineation of the habitat boundary, including rules for merging, splitting or excluding areas. b. Re-digitise any proposed habitat adjustments. c. The monitoring and assessment methodologies, ensuring that targets are releva