Field Survey: Impacts of Site Work

The environmental impact of any site work on a field area may range from negative (insignificant to severe), to positive where beneficial improvements are carried out.

During the survey stage it is important to consider any negative impact you may have from being on site, for example:
Don't drive vehicles off roads or tracks, park around the edge or off site, if practicable.
Be careful walking around the site, taking care not to disturb nests, dens or frighten animals.
Don't pick vegetation - take photographs.
Do not leave any equipment or tools, for example stakes or rope, onsite, and especially no litter.
Don't trample vegetation or break off branches.

A negative impact of site works could be:
Construction of buildings, car parks or roads.
Noise and pollution from these activities.
Loss of visual features.
Loss of plants; especially rare ones.
Loss of wildlife.
Disturbance of nesting or feeding sites.
Loss of recreational land, potentially impacting on a local population's activity and health (assuming the area was used for this in the first place).

A positive impact of site works could be:
Renovation and making safe of derelict buildings, walls and other stone or brick features.
Building of protected areas for wildlife and flora.
Construction or enhancement of footways to reduce soil erosion.
Replanting and regeneration of areas to encourage greater biodiversity.
Clearance of fly-tipping, with greater protection and barriers to prevent future tipping.
Improving the attractiveness of the area to engage more with the local community and other visitors.
Encouraging sustainable skills, such as woodland management - coppicing, hedge laying; wild-flower meadow management, areas of wild fruits for cooking, utilising the area as a teaching or educational resource.

Damage
If there is any incidental damage to habitat, wildlife and landscape then it is important to stop further damage occurring. In practice there should be little chance of incidental damage occurring from the activities of a field survey worker due to the limited amount of tools and equipment, which are often just pen, paper, measuring tape, with a survey being on foot.

If the field worker is the cause of the incidental damage then they should try and rectify it as soon as possible - assuming it is safe and practical to do so.

Taking care with matches or lighters, especially in dry vegetation can prevent the accidental starting of fires. Wherever possible try and avoid using these - don't smoke.

If you notice any spillages of oils or other contaminants, try and soak them up, however, if you are unaware of their composition or do not have appropriate gloves and clothing then it may be better to contact someone or an organisation who can deal with this as soon as possible.

If any water courses appear to be contaminated contact the Environmental Agency and the local Water Authority. If land is contaminated contact the landowner in the first instance.

If the area is a public access area, then it might be the local authority that needs to be contacted. If in doubt, phone around until you find the right person or organisation so they can deal with the damage appropriately.

Damage to vegetation may be able to be repaired through renovation and possibly cordoning off the area allowing it to regenerate adequately.

A report, which may be a brief observational note depending upon what has occurred, should be made of any incidental damage, being forwarded to the relevant person within an appropriate timescale: this might typically be within a day or a week of the incident occurring, depending on the seriousness of it.