Later in the life of projects monitoring can be carried out, tailored to site, client or statutory agency requirements. We carry out botanical monitoring and our sub-consultants carry out bird, protected species and other monitoring. The first step is to work out and agree methods, next is the gathering of baseline data. Botanical monitoring may be by fixed quadrats, transects and photography or other means.

As an example the photo shows one end of a transect set up at Machrihanish Dunes golf course in 2008 to monitor early marsh orchids. The orchids are found in dune slacks away from in-play areas of the new golf course. Orchids are counted, within 1m either side of transect line, annually for as long as required by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). This is to ensure the level of winter grazing is adequate to prevent these uncommon plants being swamped by coarser species. Machrihanish SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) was set up by SNH partly to protect the dune system, early marsh orchids, pyramidal orchids - see Photographs - and other notable species.