Planet WGSW-24010 User Manual page 43

subjective estimates may often be improved by achieving consensus from a 'group decision'
rather than relying on a single surveyor. Such group-conferring may also help resolve difficulties
of macrophyte identification and survey length relocation.
Efficiency may be improved by allowing different tasks to be shared simultaneously. When
assessing and recording the presence and abundance of macrophytes within the survey length,
there are a number of items of equipment the surveyor is required to carry, and a number of tasks
the surveyor is required to achieve. The surveyor must use a clip-board, glass-bottomed bucket
and plastic bags/vials for specimens, whilst retaining a free hand to record items on the clip-board
and another free hand to collect specimens. This can make the survey difficult and time-
consuming, and as a result may also impair the quality of the results obtained. When two
surveyors are present, the equipment and tasks can be shared. Other tasks may also be shared
simultaneously in this way: for example, the sketch map, the assessment of the physical
characteristics of the site, taking a photograph and taking a diatom sample (when a DQI survey
is undertaken in conjunction with the MTR).
Minimal extra time accrues from double-staffing compared to single-staffing. For sites which are
double-staffed for safety reasons, it may not represent any additional resource investment.
In cases where surveys are undertaken by teams of two or more surveyors, one member of the
team should be charged with overall responsibility for the survey. The initials of this 'principal
surveyor' should always be listed first on the survey sheet, before those of the co-surveyor(s).
The 'principal surveyor' should be fully trained in all aspects of the method. Co-surveyors
should be similarly trained, but exceptions are allowed as outlined in 7.2.4. When undertaking
the survey, surveyors in a team should confer regarding definition of the survey length, definition
of the channel, identification of macrophytes, abundance categories and overall percentage cover,
and reach a consensus 'group' decision. This minimises problems of relocating the survey length
and provides an immediate 'spot-check' on identification and cover estimation. Differences
between surveyors can be discussed, and resolved if possible, on the spot. The 'principal
surveyor' has the final decision in case of dispute.
3.3.9 Time r equir ed to car r y out a sur vey
Assuming a survey team of two operators, the total time spent per survey (including preparation,
travel to site, field survey, laboratory analysis and data analysis) is likely to take one person-day,
although this may vary considerably depending on travel distance, ease of access to the site, the
nature of the macrophyte community, the weather and the experience of the surveyors.
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