Monitoring plans are a way of planning a specific set of monitoring.
The plan contains:
Context
- Plan Summary - describe the overall purpose and value of this monitoring plan
- Survey Location(s) - include any maps and/or tables of monitoring point coordinates.
Survey Design
- What will you be surveying? Provide a link to the survey methods that will be used and summarise the key metrics you’ll be surveying (e.g. tree growth, seed abundance, coral cover)
- How are the sampling units arranged in space? Describe how the survey is laid out in space (include maps or diagrams if appropriate) and how any controls and comparisons are allocated (e.g.: random allocation of intervention vs control).
- What is the sample size and replication level? Describe the scale of the survey and the rationale for your sample size being representative.
- How frequently will the monitoring be repeated?
- How will the data be analysed to evaluate intervention effects or detect changes over time? Provide a brief overview of the statistical or analytical approach you will use e.g. observational, specific statistical tests, modelling
You can read more about how this plan fits within the wider plan system here.