Biological Data and GIS

Using GPS - Credit Claire Jackson

Biological data that we collect and receive help us to support environmental decision-making, education, research and have other uses which benefit the public.

The sort of data we collect and receive includes information on individual species and the habitats in which they occur, to the locations of statutory and non-statutory designations which contribute to the protection of the natural environment. The majority of the data that we collect and receive is usually for our reserves and originates from reserve staff and volunteers. We would like to encourage the reporting of species sightings from the wider Yorkshire region which you can submit to us by emailing them to Joanna Richards or, if you are a member of a local group or consultancy, via your Local Records Centre (LRC).

Example: Species survey data

GIS used by the Trust to spatially map survey results to enable us to visualise the geographic distribution of the data which in turn can help us to plan and inform future survey work.

Biological Data Policy

The Trust recognises the role of both Local Record Centres and the NBN Trust in influencing conservation priorities and land management decision making. It is the policy of the Trust to make any data collected or received as widely and publicly available as possible whilst preserving any necessary conditions of sensitivity and confidentiality. See downloads section below to download a full copy of the Trust's biological data policy.

Biological Data Requests

The majority of the data that the Trust holds is specifically related to its nature reserves. Although there are recent records and records currently being collected on our reserves as well as donated legacy data, which are in the process of being sorted, all records that the Trust has made available to the public at this time are held at the LRC’s. As the backlogged data is sorted and entered into the Trust internal database this will also be made publicly available through the relevant LRC.

The Trust shares all of its biological data with the LRCs, and due to limited resources within the Trust, all biological data requests will be responded to by asking the enquirer to refer to the relevant LRC for any data that the Trust might hold for a specific area.

Mapping & GIS

The Trust uses GIS for a range of purposes including mapping the distribution of otter sightings, classifying and mapping areas of upland vegetation and bare peat, identifying areas of the North Sea for potential Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ), reserve management and responding to planning applications.

Example: Land use mapping

The Trust's Yorkshire Peat Partnership staff use GIS to help identify and quantify areas of bare peat exposure. Images show before (left) and after (right) spectral analysis.

Example: Nature Reserve Maps

Public reserves locations: MapInfo Tab : ESRI SHP

Example: Protection

Map for marine advocacy to illustrate the current and potential marine designations in the North Sea.

Contact

For more information on the Trusts Data Policy or any questions regarding biological data, data management, GIS, or mapping within the Trust, please contact Wildlife Data Officer Phillip Whelpdale .

Downloads

FilenameFile size
Data Terms & Conditions729.47 KB
GIS Metadata363.83 KB
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Data Policy688.71 KB