Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of UK observation sites
Encouraging collaboration across UK organisations collecting observations has the potential to improve the existing observation suite. Working together can help avoid duplication, develop more robust networks and improves knowledge and data accessibility.
The UK-EOF is using scoping studies to find ways of improving effectiveness and efficiency for UK observations. These include:
- Sharing observation sites.
- Sharing facilities, such as laboratories.
- Sharing data collectors and/or transport to sites.
- Making data more widely available for reuse and easier to share.
- Encouraging voluntary recorders to verify and submit their data to national databases.
Observation sites from the UK-EOF stakeholders have been mapped Natural England (September 2011). Obvious patterns emerged and the UK-EOF Management Group Members were encouraged to progress this work to see where efficiencies could really be made.
The UK-EOF is taking this work forward in 2012 and is undergoing a review of selected catchments to gain knowledge and experience of how collaboration could work.
