Members of our Dorking team recently attended a National Vegetation Classification (NVC) training course at Wye Downs in Kent, led by the highly knowledgeable Alex Lockton.

The course provided a practical introduction to carrying out NVC surveys in the field, covering survey methodology, quadrat selection and data collection. After completing fieldwork, the team analysed their results using specialist software to classify the plant communities recorded.

One of the key takeaways was the complexity of chalk grassland habitats, where vegetation communities do not always fit neatly into a single classification. In contrast, woodland community and the site were more straightforward to identify, highlighting the importance of robust field data and evidence-based assessment.

NVC surveys play a vital role in understanding and evaluating habitats, providing a nationally recognised framework for assessing plant communities and informing ecological decision-making.

It’s always great to see our ecologists continuing to develop their technical skills and knowledge through hands-on training opportunities.