PA Handford & Associates Ltd

Resource Data Capture, Ecological Assessment & Monitoring

Services

We use our practical approach plus expertise and innovation in the application of technology to provide quick, cost effective and accurate data capture, assessment and monitoring.

Resource Data Capture

• Data capture for GIS users
• Innovative use of photography and image analysis
• Mapping and analysis of existing databases
• Combined capture of a variety of data on vegetation, environmental and production parameters.
• Weeds and pests - collection of data on distribution and abundance
• Urban trees and vegetation - identification, mapping and condition assessment

Ecological assessment

• Overviews of ecosystems and ecological processes
• Vegetation mapping and analysis for a wide variety of uses from biodiversity enhancement to fire planning

Monitoring

• Working with you to develop focused and cost effective monitoring plans identifying what parameters need to be assessed and how they will be measured.
• Assisting with analysis of data we capture for you or of your own data.
• Specialist areas of monitoring include:
  • Vegetation condition
  • Pest animals
  • Pest plants (weeds)

Projects

• "Native Forest Monitoring - Guide for Forest Owners & Managers": This was a major Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Management Fund (SMF) funded project to develop indicators and monitoring for native forest ecosystems. The project involved research, trialing of monitoring methods, and consultation throughout New Zealand, culminating in this publication in June 2000. This publication has been enthusiastically received. It is widely known and used by forest managers. See it online here.
• Forest Monitoring and Assessment Kit (FORMAK). This project was undertaken with Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Management Fund support. It provids a simple monitoring kit for immediate use by land owners, landcare groups, community groups and other "hands on" users interested in assessing the condition of native forest ecosystems. It also provides internet based support, data entry and reporting. Visit the FORMAK website here.
• Analysis of northern rata canopy photography: Digital image analysis of repeat photographs of northern rata trees within the native forest estate. The objective of this project is to monitor changes in the canopy condition of these trees.
• "Whatbird" Online Bird Identification Tool: Whatbird is a practical online bird identification tool for community groups, landowners and others involved in biodiversity monitoring. It provides images, audio, distribution maps and text to help users identify and learn about bird species. This tool was developed with financial assistance from the Terrestrial and Freshwater Biodiversity Information System (TFBIS) Programme funded by the New Zealand Government. Visit www.whatbird.co.nz
• Assessment of a sample of high value conservation areas in the Manawatu-Wanganui region: Current status of the areas was assessed and key threats to forest health examined.
• Phenology of Natural Forests in Wellington Region: Phenology data collected by the Parks and Forests section of Greater Wellington Regional Council was used to assess key fruiting and flowering cycles important to management.
• Bird Survey: Ongoing monitoring of the relative abundance of birds in a local authority reserve using 5 minute counts and other methods.

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