Biological Recording

A biological record is information on where a species has been found, when it was recorded and by whom. Knowledge of what species we have and where they occur is vital for conservation activity including statutory site declaration, biodiversity priority setting, and wildlife protection. We are involved in a very successful partnership known as CEDaR Centre for Environmental Data and Recording. This unique partnership is three-way; the Ulster Museum, ourselves and arguably most importantly, the biological recording community of NI. Many individuals and groups in NI contribute their biological records voluntarily to the central databases at the Ulster Museum and the data can then be accessed by others through various data agreements. We also support the National Biodiversity Network, which aims to provide a one stop web portal for species information.

Support of biological recording allows us to produce atlases which map the distribution of species. These atlases allow us to investigate key issues for species, such as what types of environment they occur in (their species niche). Examples of mapping projects that we have funded include Butterflies and Moths of Northern Ireland Dragonfly Ireland project, Rare plant registers.

We are also involved in an all Ireland lichen recording project. Such data can be used in further investigations such as biological modeling.
Key to the cataloguing of species is an understanding of the taxonomic and genetic validity of species, which in turn allows us to assess their uniqueness/rarity. We have undertaken a number of genetic studies to assess the uniqueness of populations of key species in Northern Ireland such as the red grouse and the Irish Hare, which can both be accessed using the links in the recent reports list below.  

Species status assessment is important for focusing conservation effort and has resulted in the preparation of listings of Northern Ireland priority species and Species of Conservation Concern. We have also contributed to all Ireland assessments e.g. bees, and are involved in ongoing Red Data Book preparation for several taxonomic groups, including the bryophytes and vascular plants in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife Service in the Republic of Ireland.