Changing landscape and the importance of recording it

Large scale monitoring and recording of the landscape is key in ensuring the best implementation of habitat management plans. With practices such as seeding wildflower meadows or coppicing / thinning maturing woodlands it can be more challenging to capture change with a single photo, video or written description. Monitoring the changing landscape over time and through the seasons means that the data collected can be used to form a bigger picture. 

By recording changes and monitoring trends we can adapt our conservation management to ensure that we achieve the best outcomes for wildlife and work proactively to grow and conserve our ambitious 30,000-acre native broadleaf Forest.  

The monitoring of the Forest through fixed-point photography began three months ago. Volunteers have started taking photographs in set locations across the Forest. Their images will help visually record habitat changes in the Heart of England Forest over a long period of time. 

What is fixed-point photography?

Fixed-point photography is an emerging technique that is becoming more frequently used in the conservation sector to help monitor the changes in our landscapes. A set point is selected within the landscape, often determined by an important habitat or a specific feature of significance, and then at regular time intervals (for example once a week) photographs are taken from the same point and position each time. Photographs can then be compared with one another over the following months and years. Fixed-point photography also records the different seasons visually, to see how the landscape is evolving with climate change. This qualitative data - essentially creating a time-lapse of the landscape - can be used alongside other quantitative data such as wildlife surveys to create a greater understanding of our ever-developing landscapes.  

How are volunteers helping?

We currently have volunteers taking photographs from seven carefully selected locations across the Forest every month; Oak Wood, Spernal Hall Farm, and College Wood in Spernal, and Dorothy’s /Robert’s Wood, Coxmere Wood, Noleham Wood, west of Giddings Wood, and Binton in the Dorsington area of the Forest. These locations were chosen due to the important habitats that can be found there. Each of these areas have huge significance for biodiversity and it is imperative we learn as much as we can about the range of habitats, from new woodland to wetlands, grasslands, hedgerows, and  even footpaths. 

During the first week of each month, our dedicated volunteers head out to their allocated areas of the Forest, where they will come across several wooden posts with compasses on. A photograph is taken at each of the posts, in the direction of North, East, South and West, which are then upload to our image library for us to review and see how the different habitats are changing. Volunteers currently have either two or three posts in their designated areas, so each month 76 photographs are taken of the Forest! The beauty of this project is that the volunteers can complete the activity at their own leisure, often when they are out on a daily walk, so not only does it benefit the Forest, but also the physical and mental wellbeing of our volunteers.

We are now three months into the project, and it is already interesting to see how the landscape has changed in such a short period of time. As the project continues over the months and years to come, it will be fascinating to see the long-term results. We will see the trees growing, the woodlands forming, and the seasons changing. Hopefully we will also be able to include more locations across the Forest and get more of our valued volunteers involved.

Can members of the public get involved?

Fixed-point photography is not just for our volunteers here at the Heart of England Forest. Members of the public are encouraged to get involved. If you do come across one of our posts located in the Forest, please feel free to take a photograph. 

The locations of the posts have been chosen as they best frame the beautiful landscape we have here in the Forest. Feel free to have a go and to share your photos on our social media platforms. We look forward to seeing what you capture.  

If you would like to know more about fixed-point photography volunteer opportunities, please contact me at volunteer@heartofenglandforest.org