SOI Ltd offers a range of services to inform the ecological component of the EIA process. We have a sound understanding of the obligations placed upon developers by the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and the associated requirements for an Appropriate Assessment to be carried out for activities with the potential to impact priority species or habitats. SOI Ltd staff has experience of dealing with development scoping queries and designing baseline survey and monitoring protocols to ensure adequate data are available for the level of environmental assessment required.
SOI Ltd are able to survey and monitoring of a range of taxonomic groups and habitats including birds and aquatic invertebrates. Survey methods include point counts and line transects, distance sampling, mark-recapture, colony counts, and productivity for birds. Invertebrates survey methods include benthic surveys, grab sampling, water sampling, River Habitat Survey & Phase 1 Habitat Survey with labs allowing invertebrate identification and staff are members of the NMBAQC scheme.
SOI Ltd has a particular expertise in survey and monitoring within the coastal zone, including inter-tidal areas. This includes ecological, geophysical and cultural heritage interests and the assessment of fluvial and coastal processes upon key interests.
SOI Ltd can provide survey design, management, data analyses and interpretation, and quality assurance of such work produced outwith SOI Ltd.
We believe that the significant duplication of effort and cost can be avoided through a strategic approach to carrying out ecological and environmental survey/ monitoring work.
