session 3 information sources using the internet to locat protected species and habitats

1. Web based Biodiversity Data: Using the internet to locate protected species and habitats Camilla Keane Natural Environment Case Work and Research Officer An Taisce- The National Trust of Ireland

2. NPWS Map server National Parks and Wildlife Service website www.npws.ie The map server provides useful information on Site designation locations – ieNatura 2000 sites (SAC & SPA), NHAs and proposed NHAs. Species records Aerial photographs often over laid with original OS map info - allow you build up your own sense of the area.

3. Species records Species records included on the website are for those species listed in: Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000. Flora (Protection) Order (S.I. No. 94 of 1999) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (the EU Habitats Directive) Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the Conservation of Wild Birds (the EU Birds Directive) The following attributes are listed: Species Name, Location: 10km2 Grid square, Full grid reference where available and Status (whether red listed, protected etc… see above)

4. HOW TO USE THE MAP VIEWER www.npws.ie Select Map and Data tab – 11th option down on the left hand side of the screen. Bottom of page- select I agree with the above terms and conditions. The Map Viewer then opens in a pop up window. Select County and townland OR fill in the Site Code

5. PROTECTED SITES NPWS website – www.npws.ie Third tab on the left hand side of the screen. 3 options – SAC SPA NHA Then can select the county the site is in Followed by the protected site’s name

6. National Biodiversity Data Centre www.biodiversityireland.ie Select the third tab along top of page Biodiversity data then select Access Data Select Access Data again at the bottom of the page Then have a number of different ways to proceed. This can feel more complicated to use than NPWS but has a lot more information for species records

7. Botanical Society of the British Isles One of the main purposes of the BSBI is to help people learn to identify plants. www.bsbi.org.uk Go to Identify a Plant There is a very useful questionnaire form that tries to help you identify a species.

8. Thank You!