SES team gears up for England’s largest ecosystem survey
At SES, we are proud to support one of the most ambitious and comprehensive environmental monitoring projects ever undertaken in England: the England Ecosystem Survey (EES).
Led by Natural England, the EES is designed to provide essential data on the condition and extent of ecosystems across the country. This national-scale field survey forms a cornerstone of the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) Programme, underpinning key initiatives such as the State of Natural Capital Report, environmental land management (ELM) schemes and biodiversity net gain (BNG).
Recently, members of the SES team attended an in-depth training programme at Nottingham Trent University, preparing for the wide-ranging and complex surveys ahead. The training covered a broad spectrum of field techniques and assessment protocols, equipping our staff with the skills needed to collect accurate, consistent and meaningful ecological data.
From eDNA sampling and water chemistry analysis to landscape character assessments, tree surveys and habitat condition monitoring, our team immersed itself in the methods that will ensure the success of this ongoing annual nationwide monitoring survey.
What is the EES?
The EES is the largest field-based assessment of natural capital and ecosystems currently under way in England. Over a five-year cycle, Natural England aims to survey at least 2500 1 km² squares, distributed across the country to provide a comprehensive picture of ecological health.
Each 1 km² square will be surveyed using a wide range of techniques to gather data on:
- plant species and habitat condition
- hedgerows, ponds, streams and rivers
- trees outside woodlands
- landscape features and visual assessments
- soils, water quality and eDNA.
By building this robust evidence base, the EES enables Natural England and policymakers to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of national land management policies and conservation efforts.
Collaboration and consistency are at the heart of this project. SES is proud to be working alongside Natural England and other ecological partners across the country, all contributing to a unified goal: delivering high-quality environmental data to shape a more sustainable future for England’s natural landscapes.
The information gathered during the EES will be instrumental in shaping land use strategies and restoring ecosystem health at both the local and the national level.
As the survey season begins, our trained field teams are ready to get started. The knowledge gained from the recent training will be put into practice across England, and we look forward to contributing valuable insights that support the long-term protection and enhancement of our natural environment.