Habitat Survey (phase 1, extended phase 1 and phase 2)
 
Phase 1 Habitat Surveys were originally used at county and national level to provide an overview of the country's natural resources. Extended Phase 1 surveys, which are generally used these days for smaller areas, are based on the original method but carry more detail, with dominant species codes and in-depth target notes adding further layers of data, all of which are drawn onto a large-scale map using a standard set of colours. The great value of the method is that it is flexible and can be made to generate as much information as the surveyor requires for a given area.

Phase 2 Habitat Survey is more detailed and is based on the National Vegetation Classification (NVC). Sites are initially assessed for the number and type of homogeneous vegetation stands within them, then within each stand, several randomly-placed quadrats are sampled in order to build up a picture of species composition and frequency throughout that stand. The NVC type of each stand is then determined by comparison with the floristic tables given by British Plant Communities

NVC covers the following communities:
(i) Woodlands and Scrub (ii) Mires and Heaths (iii) Grassland and Montane Communities (iv) Aquatic communities Swamps and Tall Herb Fens (v) Maritime communities and Vegetation of Open Habitats.

Extended site monitoring (phase 3)
These types of detailed surveys are designed to be easily repeatable by qualified personnel and can be carried out over long time spans for a variety of habitats. The focus is sometimes pure research but more often the monitoning of vegetational responses, following management intervention or disturbance. They often involve the setting up of permanent transects or quadrats, which are monitored over time to give data series suitable for multivariate analyses. Examples of this type of work might be for instance, woodland vegetation recovery following deer management or perhaps reinstatement or creation of flower-rich grassland.

(ii) Hedgerow surveys
Hedgerows are the subject of a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) in recognition of the important role they fulfil as reservoirs and conduits for a very wide range of species. Surveys are carried out according to English Nature recommendations and involve the survey of representative 30 metre stretches of hedgerow to assess their age, species composition and condition. Quadrats laid at the feet of hedgerows can provide additional information on associated species, while the landscape context, associated features and management regime can all be recorded on standard forms and compared with regionally representative examples held on database.

Farm Environment Plans (FEP's) were introduced by the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in 2005 as a way of recording the important environmental features on farmland. This information is required in a standard format if entry onto the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme of payments is sought The FEP is both map and text based and records a wide variety of features, as well as their condition. Such features might include areas of archeological interest, woodland, wetland, grassland and heath/moor. It also provides detailed species lists for plants, invertebrates, birds and mammals, as well as assessing resource protection areas and areas where habitat can either be restored or created. Prior to carrying out an FEP, the landowner must already have registered with Defra for the Entry Level Stewardship scheme (ELS). ERA offers a full service within which applications for both ELS and HLS can be processed.

The English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) is administered by the Forestry Commission. The main aims of the scheme are (i) to enhance existing woodland and the public's access to it and (ii) to create new woodlands, which can support biodiversity and access as well as give some economic return to the owner. The scheme encompasses a number of individual grants, which are listed below.

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