The Sampling Strategy for Countryside Survey (up to 2007). Revised and Updated from: ‘The Sampling Strategy for Countryside Survey’, C.J. Barr, September 1998. DETR CONTRACT No. CR0212

The sampling strategy used for the field survey element of Countryside Survey 2007 is the latest in a series of developments of the ITE Land Classification, first used to stratify a field sample in 1978. To understand exactly how the present Countryside Survey sampling framework has been derived, it is important to review the concepts and activities that have evolved over the last 30 years since the first survey was carried out. It is possible that if the earlier time-series data were not so valuable as a basis for detecting change, and a fresh start could be made today, then a different sampling strategy might be well be adopted. However, the present Countryside Survey methodology is inextricably linked with its predecessors and an understanding of these is essential.