DAERA requires the Contractor to deliver a repeat of the NI Countryside Survey to provide a statistically robust assessment of land cover change and habitat condition in NI since the previous Countryside Survey in 2007. The Contractor will use this data to assess the outcomes of the current NI agri-environment scheme (EFS) in terms of habitat condition and establishment of green infrastructure. In addition, the Contractor will be required to record primary measurements of soil condition which influence soil function. This will form a baseline assessment of soil condition and function in NI Countryside Survey squares and will assess the linkages between soil condition and overlying vegetation. Where appropriate, this data may be used to feed into an assessment of land cover change at a UK scale in association with data being collected though the current Countryside Survey in GB.

DAERA requires the Contractor to deliver a repeat of the NI Countryside Survey to provide a statistically robust assessment of land cover change and habitat condition in NI since the previous Countryside Survey in 2007. The Contractor will use this data to assess the outcomes of the current NI agri-environment scheme (EFS) in terms of habitat condition and establishment of green infrastructure. In addition, the Contractor will be required to record primary measurements of soil condition which influence soil function. This will form a baseline assessment of soil condition and function in NI Countryside Survey squares and will assess the linkages between soil condition and overlying vegetation. Where appropriate, this data may be used to feed into an assessment of land cover change at a UK scale in association with data being collected though the current Countryside Survey in GB.