Monitoring has become fashionable. Business now talks about monitoring
its activities, efficiency, costs and profits. The National Health
Service is monitoring general practices and hospitals; it is keen to
have more information about efficiency and the duration of stay of
patients in different hospitals undergoing different types of treatment.
These activities are usually carried out in relation to specific
objectives with the aim of making activities more cost effective and
competitive. Does the same apply in biology, ecology and nature
conservation? Or, are we still enjoying conducting field surveys for the
fun of it, at best with rather vague objectives and saying to our
colleagues that we do our work because we need to know what is there?
This book is an opportunity to consider some of the reasons why
monitoring is important, how it differs from survey, how it may be able
to answer specific questions and help with site management or problem
solving. It will explore some of the taxa that are suitable for
recording and how you may actually set about doing it. It is not
intended as a catalogue of techniques but we will in each chapter give
you sources of material so that with the minimum of effort you will be
able to proceed with an efficient, relevant and not too time- consuming
monitoring programme. Some of the points that you need to consider
before starting are also set down in the synthesis at the end of the
book.