There are several routes that data can take though, depending on the verification process that is needed.

Verifiers checking records on behalf of recording schemes can choose to forward records direct to the NBN Gateway once verified, or they may choose to download the data to incorporate into their recording scheme database, from where it can be submitted to the NBN Gateway as part of the full recording scheme dataset.

For projects that wish to use automated validation, records that pass the checks can be updated direct to the NBN Gateway every few months, via the Biological Records Centre.

iRecord always encourages participating recording schemes to pass records to the NBN Gateway, but we recognise that verification is an important part of this process, and there is flexibility in the system to ensure that the data flow can mesh with the needs of the recording schemes undertaking the verification.

Section 3 of the iRecord terms and conditions state that: “Verified observations will be made available via the NBN Gateway.  iRecord data will be collated alongside other data and made available via the NBN Gateway by the relevant national recording scheme, or will be provided directly via the NBN Gateway in a dataset administered by the Biological Records Centre and/or the relevant national recording scheme.  If you do not want your observations to be made available in this way, please do not submit them.”

It is largely the case that iRecord records are made available via the NBN Gateway, but as there are various steps in the process, and the responsibility to submit falls onto different people, we can’t guarantee that all records will be passed on (not least because there aren’t recording schemes and verifiers for all species groups), nor that they will be passed on within a certain time limit. Individual recorders have the ability to download their own records and pass them on via other routes if needed.

As everyone in the NBN is aware, data flow issues can be complicated, and the NBN is focusing on this topic at the moment as part of its Action Plan. We hope to have a more fully integrated system as we move forward.

Written by Martin Harvey and Ella Vogel

The latest news from iRecord is that a new mobile app is now available (for Android and Apple devices). This allows any species to be recorded in the field and subsequently sent to the iRecord database for verification as normal.

The post iRecord and the NBN appeared first on National Biodiversity Network.

NTS is the third largest landowner in Scotland with stewardship of over 76,000 hectares of countryside such as the magnificent Ben Lawers mountain range and the stunning islands of St Kilda.

A relatively small Ranger’s Service monitors priority species and habitats as part of a rolling programme of survey and monitoring work. However, with such large areas to cover and strict time commitments, it is the common and less charismatic species which often go under recorded.

The NTS Rangers Service gratefully receives many wildlife records from members of the public but these are often restricted to the rare or the magnificent. This website provides a simple and accessible system where anyone can tell us what they have seen, be it an earthworm or an eagle, and hopefully inspire budding recorders to keep telling us!

The easy to use form provided by iRecord caters to the beginner as well as the more experienced recorder. As the site is mobile enabled this can even be done on the move and a photo upload option allows easier verification of the record. The simple to use mapping tool means more accurate locational data can also be recorded.

Crucially, the anticipated surge in wildlife records will not infringe on precious staff time as little data management is required. The diagram below shows the traditional data flow for records received by visitors to Trust properties (green & blue) compared to the simpler, quicker, and more accurate data flow from the new recording page (red).

As the recording form is provided by iRecord through an iFrame link, records will go directly to the (BRC) iRecord database where they can be verified by an established network of experts. Verified records will then be shared with the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) where they will be available via the NBN Gateway and the Atlas of Living Scotland allowing them to achieve their full potential by contributing to scientific research, conservation projects and decision making nationwide.

Figure 1: NTS Public records traditional data flow and webpage data flow.

The post Did you see me today? appeared first on National Biodiversity Network.