Understand and assess the ecological value of land
Whether you're managing a farm, assessing habitat, applying for conservation funding or conducting environmental studies, A Field Guide to Ecological Survey provides a practical framework for recording and evaluating the natural resources of a site.
Developed by Tocal College, this guide explains how to prepare for a survey, meet legal requirements, collect reliable field data and document your findings. It combines practical field techniques with real-world case studies to help readers understand biodiversity, vegetation, wildlife habitat and environmental condition.
Who this guide is for
- Landholders and farmers interested in managing natural resources
- Landcare and community environmental groups
- Students studying ecology, conservation or environmental management
- Local Land Services and natural resource management practitioners
- Bush regenerators, conservation project participants and environmental volunteers
What you'll learn
- How to understand the physical and historical characteristics of a site
- Legal requirements, approvals and permits for ecological surveys
- How to identify and protect cultural heritage values
- Methods for establishing survey areas and selecting survey techniques
- Practical approaches to flora and fauna surveys
- Soil testing and environmental data collection
- How to record observations accurately using data sheets
- Ways to minimise biosecurity risks and protect sensitive environments
- Site safety and risk management considerations
- How to prepare, save and share survey reports with stakeholders
This practical field guide takes readers through the complete ecological survey process, from selecting maps and researching a site through to recording vegetation, analysing data and preparing survey reports. It also includes case studies demonstrating how survey information can be used to assess habitat suitability and measure the impact of invasive species on biodiversity.
Richly illustrated and written in a practical, easy-to-follow format, this publication is an excellent resource for anyone involved in environmental assessment, conservation planning or sustainable land management.
Publication Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Author | Jennifer Laffan |
| Publisher | Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development |
| Produced by | Tocal College |
| ISBN | 9781760588571 |
| Format | A4 soft cover, spiral bound |
| Pages | 80 pages |
| Catalogue Number | B1000 |
| Publication Year | 2025 |
| Price | $35.00 |
| Bonus Publication | Includes a free copy of Photography for Field Work |
Table of contents
Chapter 1. Where is the site
Chapter 2. The law
Chapter 3. Establishing the survey area
Chapter 4. Types, methods, tools and timing
Chapter 5. Safety on the site
Chapter 6. Protect the site
Chapter 7. Soil testing
Chapter 8. Data
Chapter 9. Recording and responding
Chapter 10. Vegetation
Chapter 11. Case studies
Appendix 1. Test the soil
Appendix 2. Sample risk assessment template
Appendix 3. Sample data sheets
Appendix 4. Resilience summary
This publication is sold with free copy of Photography for field work.
Our other books about environmental management are Restoring Natural Areas, and the EnviroGuide series: Vegetation Survey and Assessment, Nature Conservation on farms, and Principles of ecology.