Ecology
Ecology at Leppitt Associates
Dr. Pam Leppitt is a pragmatic field ecologist who enjoys practical challenges and solving complex problems using a multi-disciplinary approach developed from close involvement in the waste consultancy.
Experience
Broad ecological background spanning academia, education (Primary school to PhD students), consultancy and agriculture:
- BSc Joint Honours and PhD (University of Wales Aberystwyth)
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow and part-time tutor (Open University)
- Senior Lecturer in Plant Ecology, supervising successful PhD students alongside undergraduate programmes (10 years, Plymouth University)
- Freelance ecologist (20 years to present)
Numerous peer-reviewed papers published in quality scientific journals
Contributor to Natural England’s Uplands Evidence Review
Excellent verbal and written communicator, for a range of audiences.
Accomplished and independent field worker, used to isolated locations, demanding conditions and long periods of lone working.
Has worked alongside large civil engineering and ecological consultancies as a competent lone worker and as project manager.
20 years hands-on experience of stock management and animal husbandry (sheep and cattle) and a particular interest in conservation grazing using rare breeds
Completed numerous farm audits for the Bodmin Moor Project, ELS, OELS and HLS historic agri-environment schemes as well as administrating schemes for individuals and Commons Management Committees.
Specialist knowledge of the upland vegetation of Bodmin Moor, including a review of grassland, mire and heath NVC types using multivariate techniques
Services
Ecological Surveys and Assessments (e.g. Preliminary Ecological Assessment) for:
- planning applications ranging from small residential developments to complex industrial/commercial proposals;
- waste recovery/permit applications;
- and agri-environment schemes.
Designing, implementing and analysing rigorous long-term vegetation monitoring programmes for planning conditions.
Large scale vegetation surveys (e.g. NVC)
Soil sampling and interpretation for ecological investigation as well as to WM3 guidelines;
Multivariate techniques to explore and simplify complex data sets
Rigorous interpretation of long term monitoring data: application of Ellenberg values and robust statistics
Management Plans and Planting Schemes
Clients
Clients for our ecological services include Cornwall Council, Plymouth City Council, Natural England, Cardiff Council, TACP, Western United Mines, Atkins (Global) Consultancy, Parsons Brinkerhoff, CORMAC, Bodmin Moor Commons Committees as well as many small businesses and individuals.
Habitats
Past projects have focussed on:
- brown field sites (waste facilities and post-industrial)
- metalliferous mines (including bryophytes)
- hedgerows & woodland
- moorland & upland vegetation types
- wetland complexes
- Scottish Machair
- burning & grazing management
- landfill leachate irrigation