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You are here: Home > Native animals > Animal and plant surveys > Guidelines for carrying out a survey > Community Biodiversity Survey Manual

July 2002

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This manual is a user-friendly guide for people wanting to learn more about their local environment. It was developed by the NPWS and the National Parks Association of NSW. The manual helps individuals and community groups to plan and carry out a biodiversity survey.

The manual covers survey methodologies for plants, birds, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles and frogs. It is a step-by-step guide to:

• selecting sites
• doing research
• planning and organising people and equipment
• collecting and recording data.

The manual is available in two versions:

• A condensed version, which is ideal for individuals and community groups who are interested in learning about the basic biodiversity of an area. This version provides a baseline survey methodology, which is intended for people who have little or no experience or access to scientific expertise.
  
• The full version, which includes the baseline methodolgy as well as a comprehensive survey methodology, for people who have experience and access to scientific support.

How can the survey data be used?

Community groups carrying out biodiversity surveys will find it easier to communicate their results to land managers using the methods described in the manual. The manual has been designed to ensure that the data collected by the community can be integrated into environmental decision-making processes at a range of levels.

Information from returned survey forms can be added to the Atlas of NSW Wildlife, a database which is used by land managers to ensure that informed decisions are made in natural resource planning and management.

Where do I get a copy of the manual?

The manual is only available from the National Parks Association of NSW. Prices are as follows:

• $50 for the condensed version
• $116.60 for the full version (3rd edition. Includes a CD-ROM).

You'll also need to pay $9.50 per manual for postage and handling in NSW (additional costs in other states). All prices include GST. To buy your copy, you can either:

• download a printable order form (manualorderform.doc - 39KB), fill it in, and return it to the National Parks Association; or
• contact the National Parks Association of NSW.

Sample sections to download

The following sections come from the full version of the manual.

• Section 1: introduction (PDF - 1.6MB)
• Section 9: bird survey methods - baseline (PDF - 2.1MB)
• Section 18: field data sheets (PDF - 1.5MB)
  

More information

Examples of community-based biodiversity surveys

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