Catalogue description Nature Conservancy Council and English Nature: Biological Survey of Common Land: County Reports

In 1986 the Countryside Commission published the Report of the Common Land Forum which resulted in the possibility of new legislation on common land. The Nature Conservancy Council subsequently commissioned the Biological Survey of Common Land in order to assess the implications for conservation agencies. Work on the Survey started in November 1987 and continued until December 1994. It was undertaken by Rural Surveys Research Unit at Aberystwyth University, and following the split of NCC into English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales in 1991, the three national bodies continued to fund the research.

The aim of the survey was to record detailed information about wildlife in each of the common land areas in order to produce informed management schemes. These schemes would be operated by local management associations, consisting of representatives from all interested parties.

The survey was split into four areas of work: to produce boundary maps, vegetation maps and, where possible National Vegetation Classifications; to provide brief descriptions of biological interest of each common (mainly botanical but also to include fauna information if possible); to provide brief descriptions of management practises and recommendations for each site; and to give an overview of the biological characteristics and management of common land at county level.