Post on 04-Feb-2016
description
Atlas recording is just the start
Steve Cham
Future challenges for Dragonfly recording
“Practical challenges in the use of biodiversity data”
“From records to research”
“using distribution data”
“Translating volunteer recording in to …conservation action”
To develop a sustainable system for gathering, managing and using information about the status of dragonflies in the UK
To provide access to authoritative and reliable information on dragonflies, in particular through the National Biodiversity Network (NBN)
To put dragonflies more securely ‘on the map’ in the UK, through increased awareness and involvement of the British Dragonfly Society’s membership and of the broader public
To publish a new revised Atlas of UK Dragonflies (which can be used as a focal point for the above developments)
Dragonflies in Focus – DiF objectives
Developing the recording and monitoring programme
Improving the scope and quality of records
Developing, in partnership with local organisations, a national system for collating and managing dragonfly records
Increasing participation by volunteers in a range of surveillance activities
Sharing information with other organisations via the NBN Gateway
Producing clear end-products, within a realistic time scale
DiF objectives to be achieved by:-
2014
1996
2030?Index of change !
?
Atlas recording is just the start
Record cleaner used to verify records coming in to DRN
1,089,126 records >98% submitted by volunteer recorders
<1991 217,975 1:
1991-1999 270,774 1.24:
2000-2012 583,038 2.15
Image courtesy of Richard Revels
Progression of recorder effort throughout the new atlas period based on Vice County Diversity Threshold
(VCDT)
Bedfordshire
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Northamptonshire
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0500
100015002000250030003500
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Surrey
The County atlas effect
Atlas projects motivate and mobilise recorders!
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Count of RecordKey
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The ‘special project’ effectAll VC11/12 Damselfly records Less Southern Damselfly
Less Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly Less ‘The Dells’ records
“There are known knowns, there are things we know that we know.
There are known unknowns, that is to say there are things that we now know we don’t know.
But there are also unknown unknowns – they are things we don’t know” Donald Rumsfeld “There are things we now think
we know but don’t yet know how to interpret them” Steve Cham
Colonising species - mapping the spread
Changes in phenology
Interpretation of distribution data
Accessibility 2-3 hours walking to get to sites. New records from wind farm surveys.
‘Remote’ species
Method A
Decline
Stable
Increase
Method B
Decline
Stable
Increase
Index of change -data analysis
• Frescalo
• Mixed model
• % recorded 10km
• BDS ‘gut’ feel
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Declining
Declining significantly
Declining
Declining
Declining
Declining significantly
No change
No change
Declining
Declining significantly
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Declining significantly
Declining
No change
• Variable consistency of recorders - ID skills e.g. Common
Hawker• Record cleaner worked well at highlighting the issues• Weather impacts on recording, especially in upland areas• partial lists vs complete lists impact on data analysis• Focussed recording eg RDP failed / Monitoring • ‘Twitchers’ target rare or new species that can lead to bias
in data• Recording remote areas, especially in Scotland
Challenges with recorders
• Need a more robust method for analysing change
• Making records available / better recording of negative records
• Ensuring funding for a data manager
• Adapting to change in recording tools / Getting recorders to use new technology e.g. online recording / New apps
• Need to train/ guide recorders -more and more demands on the volunteer effort.
• There is a place for ad Hoc recording and we have to find a way to maximise it
What can we implement for the next atlas in 2030!!!
Overcoming the ‘new’ challenges
A great thanks to :
• Steve Prentice for providing maps, charts and general support
• Colleagues in the DCG and Atlas
editorial team, Brian Nelson, Dave Smallshire and Pam Taylor
• Friends at BRC- Helen Roy, David Roy, and Nick Isaacs for support and discussion on data analysis
• NBN Trust for support and
encouragement from the start
• And to all the recorders, wherever they are!