Development of a network of hydrological monitoring across the Long Term Monitoring Network: North Solent

Natural England's Long Term Monitoring Network (LTMN) started collecting data in 2010, aiming to identify if and how ecosystems are changing and, where relevant, to attribute that change to large-scale ecosystem pressures. Data is collected across 37 sites, most of which are National Nature Reserves.

Alongside other data collection, there are approximately 50 permanent vegetation plots and 5 permanent soil plots at each site. Hydrological change is considered to be a potentially significant driver of ecosystem change on all LTMN water -dependent sites, but it is currently poorly understood.

This may be done as a desk based exercise using existing information, or through a site visit if appropriate. From this we require advice on suitable locations for a network of dipwells in relation to the permanent vegetation plots are likely to be impacted by hydrological change.