Biological recording database using species lists with single click selection for species and grid reference entry.

Demonstrates

Selection of species using species list
Selection of Grid Ref by map click

Link

Map-based List Recording

Outline

Biological recording database using fixed images to aid species identification with single click selection for species and grid reference entry.

Demonstrates

Selection of species using images
Selection of Grid Ref by map click

Link

Map-based Pictorial Recording

Software for recording using desktop PCs can be a simple excel spreadsheet with appropriate column headings setup either for specific groups (a spreadsheet setup for recording ground beetles is unlikely to be the most suitable for recording lichens) or a more generalised spreadsheet to cater for a greater diversity of organisms. With the introduction of some Visual Basic scripting a degree of 'automation' can be incorporated into the excel spreadsheet. This can be generation of grid references by clicking on an outline map and/or a maintained list of species from selected groups.

For recording in the field ESRI ArcPad is a good solution. More information about software, including documentation and free and trial software is available from the downloads page.

Digital photography is an excellent way of recording biological information as some of the necessary information is recorded as standard through the software built into the camera itself. A typical photograph records the species (assuming it can be identified in the photograph), date and various other attributes. With the addition of the location and recorder's name a valid biological record is created and can be submitted to your local record centre. This additional information is best entered directly into the photograph header by accessing the properties of the file in either MS Windows Vista or XP. A guide to achieve this is available in the 'How To...>Record using photography' section of the website (accessed from the menu links above, left).