NARRS report 2007-2012: Establishing the baseline

Published source details Wilkinson J.W. & Arnell A.P. (2013) NARRS report 2007-2012: Establishing the baseline. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) report, ARC Research Report 13/01.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Engage volunteers to collect amphibian data (citizen science) Action Link

Engage volunteers to collect amphibian data (citizen science)

A study in 2007–2012 of the National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme in the UK (Wilkinson & Arnell 2011, Wilkinson & Arnell 2013) found that 277 surveys in England, 106 in Scotland, 27 in Wales and two in Northern Ireland were undertaken by volunteers engaged in the project in 2007–2012. By 2009, 100 training events had been held across the UK, resulting in over 1,500 trained volunteers. In 2009, over 1,800 people were signed up to the project via the website. The project was coordinated by Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, the Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK and other partners including Statutory Agencies. Volunteers were trained in species identification, survey methodologies and bio-security. They then monitored ponds within randomly selected 1 km grid squares across the UK. Ponds were sampled during 1–4 annual visits in 2007–2012. Surveys involved visual and torch searches, netting and sometimes bottle trapping (only by experienced surveyors). Habitat characteristics were also recorded.