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Timeline of Action

Planned Action for 2005

Generic Actions for 2006-9

Habitat Action Plans 2006-9

Species Action Plans 2006-9

Evaluating Habitats & Species

Monitoring Progress

Monitoring Habitats & Species

Role of Steering Group

Role of Action Groups

Communications Strategy

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Key achievements
at a glance
click here

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Download the BBAP 2006-2009 in full or in sections
Please note the full BBAP is 159 pages

Monitoring Habitats and Species

Recording the presence and abundance of a particular species or a range of species within a habitat, can provide valuable information about he status of a population, species behaviour the quality of a habitat and the importance of a site. If repeated, information can provide an indication of change over a period of time too – this constitutes monitoring – and can contribute to decision taken as regards management techniques. There are a number of other reasons for encouraging recording, including the fact that recording can help raise the profile of particular species or the BBAP itself amongst the public. Encouraging further participation and coordinated recording would contribute significantly to our knowledge of species in Bromley and London-wide. Under the BBAP, recording has taken place at a local level as part of local campaigns and BBAP targets as well as part of wider regional or national surveys. The recording of an absence of sightings can equally be important!

Much information is stored on paper, various computerised files and in people's memories – none of these can be easily interrogated! The establishment of the NBN and the effort being made to develop GIGL will enable records to be drawn together over a wider areas in future.

What is RECORDER?

RECORDER is a relatively new species database developed by the National Biodiversity Network. NBN has also devised guidance on access terms and data standards and produced a comprehensive species dictionary of 80,000 species. RECORDER is a powerful database for recording and monitoring the UK 's wildlife, and is able to analyse data.

What is the National Biodiversity Network (NBN)?

NBN Is a consortium of national partners involved in biological recording and with an interest in developing a network of Biological Records Centres across the UK . Its key objectives are to improve access to relevant wildlife information to anyone who wants or need it, to ensure that decisions affecting wildlife are based on reliable, quality data and to link the collection of wildlife information to demand.

For more information, visit www.nbn.org.uk

What is MapInfo?

This is a geographical information system (GIS) that provides a means of storing, displaying and analysing spatial information, enabling the inputting of wildlife site boundaries and species distribution data.

What is GIGL?

GIGL stands for the ‘Greenspace Information for Greater London' project. It forms part of a network of biological recording centre ‘nodes' across the country. By 2010, NBN hopes that a more complete picture of biodiversity in the UK will be available to help steer nature conservation effort.

The project makes use of two powerful computer packages to facilitate the process, RECORDER and MapInfo. The project is based around a complete set of Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 maps of the whole of Greater London. It aims to create a comprehensive picture of biodiversity across Greater London and to make biodiversity information available within the network and externally for the benefit of biodiversity conservation in London .

GIGL supports a network of RECORDER ‘satellite' users, including Bromley Countryside Service and Planning Strategy & Heritage. Data exchange agreements assist with data distribution, enabling the placement of restrictions on use of data by third parties. Anyone with basic computer skills can collect, manage and distribute records within a network of users with relevant software.

For further information visit www.wildlondon.org.uk. The London Borough of Bromley (Planning Strategy & Heritage) has a Service Level Agreement with GIGL and regularly sends (as designed Excel spreadsheets or Recorder files) and receives information.

Who records species in the London Borough of Bromley?

Records relating to Habitats and Species are available through the following means:

•		Surveys are undertaken to support the development of management plans on Council-owned and privately-owned land.
•		Surveys are undertaken to inform developers and planners of nature conservation issues on development sites.
•		Surveys are undertaken to provide strategic information for the London Borough of Bromley and other authorities.
•		Amateur naturalists collect and share records. Some individuals or organisations have particular expertise in the identification and monitoring of species, including less easily recorded species. Individuals record as an interest or in a professional capacity.
•		The general public participate. Engaging a wider audience in recording enables better coverage of an area. However, reliability of information received can be an issue where individuals are inexperienced in identification and recording. Information on easily recognised species is very beneficial.
•		Trained Surveyors can contribute significantly. Training can develop basic recording skills a step further, providing consistency of approach and information of a more detailed nature. Such training opportunities are provided by various organisations, including the London Borough of Bromley.
•		Professional independent contractors provide structured and reliable information. Where feasible, they are been employed to undertake more detailed survey work of particular species or sites.

Many people enjoy watching wildlife as a hobby. The recording of species requires further commitment: time has to be put aside to write down observations in an organised fashion and ideally then share them with others. The reluctance to make the extra effort required means that many valuable sightings go unrecorded and important information 'lost'. Through the BBAP the Partnership seeks to greater involvement with recording and monitoring.

To help you identify and find out more about British species, click here to access arkive.org www.arkive.org/about.html

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