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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The County atlas effect

Atlas projects motivate and mobilise recorders!

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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

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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!