Habitat surveying is one of BEC Consultants’ core services, alongside the preparation of high quality reports and ArcGIS habitat maps. Our team of ecologists has a wealth of experience of surveying the full range of terrestrial habitats throughout Ireland, with unparalleled expertise in identifying and mapping habitats listed under Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive.

Between 2009 and 2012, for example, BEC Consultants surveyed and mapped 939.4 km² as part of the National Survey of Upland Habitats, representing 1.3% of Ireland’s land area. Furthermore, habitat mapping was a major component of the following projects completed by BEC Consultants:

• Irish Semi-natural Grasslands Survey
• National Survey of Native Woodlands
• Sand Dune Monitoring Survey
• Killarney National Park Habitat Map
• Athlone to Mullingar Cycleway Habitat Survey
• County Monaghan Wetlands Survey

BEC Consultants follows the Best Practice Guidance for Habitat Survey and Mapping issued by the Heritage Council. Habitats can be classified according to Fossitt’s A Guide to Habitats in Ireland, EU Annex I Habitats or more detailed vegetation classification schemes, such as those of the Irish Semi-natural Grasslands Survey, National Survey of Native Woodlands or National Survey of Upland Habitats, as required by the client.