ABSTRACT
An understanding of the habitat preferences of a species is important, not only to improve ecological knowledge about that species but also to devise strategies for the protection of its habitat. In this respect, there is a requirement to develop methodologies for the rapid and cost-effective mapping and monitoring of extensive areas of land to determine their conservation value. This is especially true in the uplands of Britain where rapid land use change, resulting from afforestation and agricultural improvement (RSPB, 1986), has put pressure on remaining semi-natural habitats and results in an urgent need for their conservation.
