Resources for schools

In order to help schools to promote ecology and an understanding of the natural environment of the UK, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) have worked with Lancaster University to develop some exciting and accessible resources to help introduce students to land use ecology.

Royal Geographical Society resources

Royal Geographical Society resources

Thanks to the Royal Geographical Society and the Nuffield Foundation (via facilitation from Lancaster University), there are now some Countryside Survey related Resources for Schools available. The resources are aimed at Key Stage 5 (A Level) and include the following:

  • Exploring the background to Countryside Survey data
  • Performing analysis in ArcGIS Online
  • Exploring Land Classes, Linear Features and Habitats in Britain

Explore UKCEH Countryside Survey data

GIS in a Box: exploring the UK’s land use

Explore the UK's land use here

'Top Trumps' is a game that many children become familiar with growing up – competing with one another for the fastest car or the deadliest animal. The 'UK Land Cover trumps' enable students to compete on the basis of extents of different land cover types at a county level. Is there anywhere in the UK with higher areas of arable land than Cambridgeshire? Which is the most urbanised county in the pack?

The cards feature the UK Land Cover Map which has been developed by staff at UKCEH through interpretation of satellite data. Lancaster University provide schools with the cards through its 'Research in a Box' scheme aimed at inspiring the next generation of researchers.

Countryside Survey