The North East Scotland Biological Records Centre (NESBReC) collates, manages and provides biological information for the North East of Scotland. Founded in 2000, NESBReC covers Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City, Angus, Moray and the Cairngorms National Park.

Currently, over 2.5 million species records are held, as well as other biological datasets held in GIS of habitat maps and sites of importance.

NESBReC maintains a database of biodiversity information and new data are added on a regular basis via “Citizen Science”, with a large proportion of sightings being submitted voluntarily by local people who believe that it is important for local biodiversity to be taken into account in land use decision making.

The data are frequently used by partners, decision makers, education and conservation bodies, national recording schemes and the wider community to assist with land use planning, conservation, site management and research.  Key users of the data are the local authorities of Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council.

One particular way in which NESBReC is working with these local authorities is to help in the identification of Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCS).  NESBReC carries out habitat survey of sites in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council in order to assess their suitability as LNCS.

The habitat data, along with longer term species data are then analysed by a local LNCS Assessment Panel to decide which sites are worthy of the LNCS description.  This panel of local biological and geological experts then agrees on a suitable site boundary based on the habitats and species recorded.  Importantly, the site and its boundary must be clearly defendable against any challenge by potential developers and all LNCS are routinely highlighted in the planning process.  Aberdeenshire Council currently has 120 LNCS and Aberdeen City Council has 45.

Ongoing species recording and site monitoring provides further information on the biodiversity of the various LNCS with new data being added to the NESBReC database as and when available.