Common Standards Monitoring Surveys of invertebrate assemblages of sand dunes, within the Humber Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Description

Surveys of invertebrates associated with sand dunes within the Humber Estuary SSSI, using Common Standards Monitoring sampling protocols. The survey sites are Spurn Peninsula (East Yorkshire), Humberston Dunes (North East Lincolnshire), Donna Nook (Lincolnshire), Saltfleet (Lincolnshire), with 4 sampling locations at each site. 4 visits will be made between May 2025 and end August 2025, spread throughout the field season, with first visit in May, and at least 4 weeks between visits. Assess the current state of the invertebrate assemblages associated with sand dunes and associated habitats, using a combination of free-ranging searches and standardised survey methods. This includes ground searching, spot sweeping, sweep netting, suction sampling, pitfall trapping. The principal taxa are Aculeates, Coleoptera, Diptera, day-flying Lepidoptera, Heteroptera, Orthoptera, spiders. To characterise the invertebrate assemblages and assess their quality and condition, using Pantheon, a database tool developed by Natural England and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. To record brief habitat data to aid understanding of the habitat requirements of the assemblages. To provide habitat management recommendations for the invertebrate assemblages. There may be sensitive areas for breeding birds, including Schedule 1 species. This is difficult terrain and some areas are tidal which will constrain working times. Contract to start May 2025, with final report to be submitted by 20 March 2026.