Biodiversity and environmental conditions along public walking routes in three UK towns (Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes), 2014
The data describe a set of field surveys to assess conditions along public walking routes. A spectrum of urban forms was identified in the towns of Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes, in the UK. A sample of these were surveyed on foot to measure biodiversity and environmental conditions during the day. These were supplemented with landscape-scale remotely sensed data characterising the surrounding landscape. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/65b23264-2991-4ce2-83e7-7729a3947d75
dataset
https://data-package.ceh.ac.uk/data/65b23264-2991-4ce2-83e7-7729a3947d75
name: Download the data
description: Download a copy of this data
function: download
https://data-package.ceh.ac.uk/sd/65b23264-2991-4ce2-83e7-7729a3947d75.zip
name: Supporting information
description: Supporting information available to assist in re-use of this dataset
function: information
https://catalogue.ceh.ac.uk/id/65b23264-2991-4ce2-83e7-7729a3947d75
doi:
eng
biota
environment
Environmental Monitoring Facilities
publication
2008-06-01
Birds
Butterflies
Trees
Temperature
Particulate matter
Noise
Transect
Point count
Pollard walk
Urban
Walking route
Public right of way
United Kingdom
Bedfordshire
Buckinghamshire
Milton Keyes
Bedford
Luton
BESS
F3UES
UrbanBess
-1.064
0.306
52.453
51.648
2014-05-01
2014-09-30
publication
2023-04-28
The data were collected between May and September 2014 in Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes, UK. A subset of 500m x 500m survey tiles (n = 109) were selected from across the three towns using a stratified sampling design. Transect routes of 700m were established in each survey tile. Butterfly visual surveys (species and abundance) were undertaken along the routes using the Pollard Walk. Trees species and abundance were recorded at eight 10-m radius survey points at 100-m intervals along the transect. Bird surveys (two 10-minute counts) were conducted at four publicly accessible points in each tile. Environmental data were collected using instruments mounted on aluminium backpack frames, carried by a field surveyor. A particulate matter counter (Dylos DC1700) recorded continuously along the transect. A separate backpack carried an Optimus Red Sound Level Meter and two ibuttons. At the eight survey points along the route, plus two additional points per route, these recorded LAeq and temperature, respectively. Measures of the surrounding environment (road density, distance from urban edge, impervious surface cover, percent industrial land use, foliage height diversity, median patch size, residential garden cover, Index of Multiple Deprivation) were calculated at the tile level from a variety of spatial data sources. Field data were manually input or uploaded as appropriate and were compiled and error checked. Quality assurance was managed by the senior researcher carrying out the processing of each dataset, overseen by the principal and co-investigators of the project. Data were compiled and exported as a csv file for deposit into the EIDC, along with shapefiles of associated spatial data.
publication
2010-12-08
Comma-separated values (CSV)
If you reuse this data, you should cite: Norton, B.A., Mears, M., Warren, P.H., Siriwardena, G.M., Plummer, K.E., Turner, T., Hancock, S., Grafius, D.R., Evans, K.L. (2023). Biodiversity and environmental conditions along public walking routes in three UK towns (Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes), 2014. NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre https://doi.org/10.5285/65b23264-2991-4ce2-83e7-7729a3947d75
University of Sheffield
author
University of Sheffield
author
University of Sheffield
author
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
author
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
author
University of Sheffield
author
University of Exeter
author
Cranfield University
author
University of Sheffield
author
University of Sheffield
pointOfContact
NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
custodian
NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
publisher
University of Sheffield
owner
Cranfield University
owner
British Trust for Ornithology
owner
University of Exeter
owner
Environmental Information Data Centre
Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg
Lancaster
LA1 4AP
UK
pointOfContact
2023-05-05T08:08:50