D1753/001/01 - Back from the Brink vascular plant species abundance and distribution for Great Britain for the period 2002-2009

Subject Vascular Plants
Abstract This dataset of c.2500 species records gives distribution and abundance data on Plantlife's Back from the Brink vascular plant species, it collates information collected at rare and threatened species sites by Plantlife's Staff, Flora Guardians and Contracted botanical experts over a eight -year period. The Back from the Brink programme is Plantlife's practical, hands-on response to the crisis of wild-plant loss in Britain - 35 vascular plant species have been in our care during the period this data was collated. BFB sites are monitored (usually annually) to ensure the populations are being kept at healthy levels and management techniques instigated at sites to conserve populations are working. Volunteers known as Flora Guardians undertake the majority of monitoring - this group of 400 volunteers allows Plantlife to have a presence at 240 sites across the UK.
Species Groups Clubmoss [14], Conifer [81], Fern [2], Flowering Plant [71]
Geographic Coverage/Site Name General: Great Britain
Geographic Coverage Notes Geographical coverage for Back from the Brink data is dependant on where the BFB sites occur in the country. Distribution is characteristic of species habitat requirements; for example, some species have a distribution range in one country, whereas other species are confined to a region within a country. The majority of records are provided with 6 figure OS grid references, but for some records where 6 figure grid references were not recorded Plantlife supply as detailed a grid ref as possible. Some sensitive records have had their grid references reduced from OS 6 fig to 4 fig
Dataset Owner Plantlife
Dataset Contact Beth Halski
Date Range 2002 - 2005
Total Records 168
Restriction Details Restrictions Icon All records restricted to 1m for Approved Users and 100m for everyone else
Acknowledgements Plantlife International
Expand/Collapse Further Details
Original Title Back from the Brink vascular plant species abundance and distribution for Great Britain for the period 2002-2009
Temporal Coverage Notes Species monitoring records are generally collected at BFB sites annually. However in some cases sites may have been monitored several times in one year (usually if management work is being done on the site throughout the year - a record of flora will be taken by staff or contractors each time the site is visited). Alternatively sites may only have been monitored once or twice in the dataset?s 4-year period. Reasons for this include: extinction of a population at a site, it is not considered necessary to monitor populations annually (species is doing well and site not under threat), Flora Guardian is unable to monitor site for some reason, site has become inaccessible etc. Monitoring usually occurs in the summer months (when species is likely to be flowering) and in most cases a full date with day, month and year (dd/mm/yyyy) is attached to each record in the dataset.
Purpose Dataset records collected (in the most instances) as part of the ongoing BFB Programme instigated to safeguard and increase numbers of rare species at their native sites. Monitoring data is essential to assess the population health and distribution of rare and threatened species, as well as integral to the decision making about management techniques etc. that should be carried out for species and at specific sites. It gives a clear indication of population trends and informs our UK conservation fieldwork.
Capture Methods This dataset gives details of the species recorded, site name, OS grid reference of the site, date of record (as detailed as possible), and abundance data. Flora Guardians visit the BFB sites (usually) once a year and carry out a detailed assessment of the population - manually counting the number of plants present and noting grid reference of populations, and general site details. If the plant populations are too numerous to count manually an estimation of population size may be given. The estimation may be worked out by surveying several quadrats or transects at the site and extrapolating abundance data based on area size. Flora Guardians are often botanical experts in their own right and have been fully trained to recognise BFB species. If uncertain a second expert will be consulted to ensure correct identification. In some instances Plantlife will contract a botanical expert to visit sites and provide a report on findings. This information is also included in this dataset (and is subject to the same standards listed above). Grid references can be indicative of site location or species population. For further information on this distinction please contact Plantlife.
Verification/Validation Procedures Data has been added annually and the database maintained from 2002 onwards; data should not be regarded as having comprehensive geographic or temporal coverage due to constraints given above. Records are variable in quality. Many records are detailed, with six-figure grid references and full dates, but some are not. A certain level of duplication can be expected. Experience is needed in interpretation. Although the dataset is comprised of records from surveys conducted or collated/checked by botanical experts and we are in the most instance confident that species were correctly identified and the geographic position derived properly, Plantlife recognises a margin of human error must be considered when looking at the dataset as a whole. Plantlife cannot therefore guarantee 100% accuracy of information included in the dataset.
Data Collated by Plantlife
National Scheme Organisers Plantlife
Dataset Category Category 03: Dataset originates from other trusted source
Dataset Status Dataset Complete
Data Entry Project Completion Date N/A
Date Imported 03/05/2017