Biological recording is a valuable and rewarding activity that contributes to our understanding of nature and helps with conservation efforts and land management decisions. Steve Docker, a Resource Development Officer at Field Studies Council Publications, is an active biological recorder and holds an MSc in the subject. Here, Steve shares his insights into the world of biological recording, explains its importance, and offers practical tips for getting started.
Why record species?
There are many reasons to record species. Biological recording is not only enjoyable, but it also provides learning opportunities, has a lasting impact on conservation and helps to track environmental change.
I find that the process of identifying species helps me to learn more about nature and biodiversity triggering different lines of enquiry. Furthermore, biological records provide essential data that can inform conservation strategies and land management decisions, helping protect habitats and species. They are routinely used by ecological consultants when assessing the potential impact of proposed developments. In addition, as land use changes biological records can offer insight into how ecosystems are affected over time.
What is a biological record?
A biological record is a documented piece of evidence that confirms the presence of an organism in a specific location at a particular time. In its simplest form each biological record contains four essential pieces of information, the WHO, WHAT, WHERE and WHEN.
- The WHO is the name of the person who made the record (the recorder) and, if applicable, the person who verifies the identification.
- The WHAT is the name of the species observed, including both its scientific name and if it has one, its vernacular (common) name.
- The WHERE is the location of the observation, typically a 6 or 8-figure Ordnance Survey grid reference, along with a site name.
- Finally, the WHEN is the date the species was observed, or evidence of its presence was found.
In addition to these four key details, a biological record may also include supporting information or additional observations that can provide context or aid identification.
When recording species, it is important to differentiate between direct and indirect evidence. Direct evidence includes live sightings, vocalisations and sounds, and even body parts or carcasses, for example deer antlers and roadkill. Indirect evidence involves signs of activity, such as footprints, droppings and other field signs that indicate past activity.
A few considerations…
Before you dive into biological recording, keep in mind some important guidelines. Always prioritise your safety, especially when near roads, alongside water or venturing into remote areas. Don’t forget to seek landowner permission if you’re recording on private property. Aim to record species with as little disturbance as possible. Some species look alike, while others are indistinct ‘Little Brown Jobs’ or LBJs. Double check your identification to avoid confusion and assume that the species is the more common one until it can be proven otherwise. You may come across species that surprise you or don’t fit into easy categories. Be open to learning and seek help if needed.
What equipment do you need?
There is a saying in ecological consultancy ‘never be parted from your lunch’ which is equally applicable to biological recording. Being out in nature can be unpredictable, so make sure you’re prepared, especially in terms of clothing, drinks and food. Aside from that, binoculars are a useful addition for observing distant wildlife. A magnifying hand lens enables you to examine small organisms or details. A notebook is a must for jotting down notes or making sketches. A mobile phone, kept close to hand, is important for maintaining contact, for taking photographs and to use a variety of useful Apps.
How to make a biological record
What actions you take, and in what order, after first detecting the presence of an organism in the field, depends upon a number of factors. Sometimes, the thought process and follow-up actions need to be very rapid. Firstly, do you know what the species is with a high degree of certainty? Secondly, is the organism mobile, such as a bird or insect, and may therefore disappear at any moment, or is it static, such as a plant or fungus? Thirdly, do you need a photograph or to capture the organism for a closer look?
However much (or little) time you have, try to observe the features systematically. Start at a specific point and work your way around the organism, taking in as many details as possible. Commit them to memory, especially any distinctive features, sounds and behaviour. Make a note of these as soon as you can after the encounter is over and before you look at any identification resources.
Taking photographs
If you need photographs take them from different angles and viewpoints, include a scale bar and a general habitat shot for reference. If the organism is mobile, start taking pictures straight away from a distance and gradually move closer. Avoid casting a shadow, as this may disturb the animal. Sometimes you may need to capture the organism in a transparent pot for closer examination and close-up photography.
I always double check each biological record by repeating the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN mantra. Accuracy is key when recording, but it’s easy to forget details. So best practice is to record the information ‘at the time and on the spot’ of the observation. Trusting your memory later can lead to errors.
Identification resources
We live in an age of resources. These include printed field guides and pathway keys, decision tools that help narrow down a species based upon a set of features.
There is also an array of digital resources to help you identify species. These range from online image galleries to interactive tools like Identikit for matching species to a particular set of characters (like body length, colour and markings). In addition, there are Apps that can help identify species from photographs using image recognition software. However, these are still developing and their output should always be double checked. They tend to work best for distinctive species. To help with learning species there are on-line flash card systems such as Quizlet and Zoom-based training sessions.
Biological records: What to do with them?
Once you’ve made your observations, it’s important to share your findings. Personally, I prefer to enter my data into an on-line system called iRecord. There are other platforms available but iRecord is robust, well-maintained and supported by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH). The organisation is also able to undertake the relevant data analysis.
iRecord offers many advantages. It accommodates multi-species records in a single database, and has a system of verification where human specialists (with software support) review records for accuracy. In addition, it provides wide geographic coverage, and it can transfer data to and from other platforms such as BirdTrack, the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
Emerging technologies
As technology advances, new tools are emerging to support biological recording, especially using artificial intelligence (AI) software. In particular, smart optics, automated sound recognition, molecular methods and remote sensing, all offer exciting possibilities.
Smart optics include binoculars and telescopes with built-in camera, global positioning system (GPS) sensor and image recognition software. Automated sound recognition can identify species by their vocalisations, often within very large soundscape datasets. Molecular methods such as environmental DNA (eDNA), barcoding and meta-barcoding are becoming more accessible, offering new ways to detect species presence. There are even portable DNA field kit options. Remote sensing, like airspace and weather surveillance radar, can provide data on species distribution and movements.
Final thoughts …
Biological recording may seem a little daunting at first. But with the right resources, tools and mindset, it can be both enjoyable and rewarding. The four essential pieces of information WHO, WHAT, WHERE and WHEN are the foundation of any good quality biological record. Remember to focus on accuracy and be sure to ask for help when needed. Above all, have fun, stay curious and remain connected to the natural world.
Want to learn more?
A range of resources, including Identikit and Quizlet, are available at: eclectic-ecologist.com
Field Studies Council run a wide range of identification courses, both online and at field centres.
To help us all appreciate and enjoy biodiversity and better understand the changing state of nature the Field Studies Council has produced a wide range of high-quality identification resources such as the WildID fold-out guides and Aids to Identification in Difficult Groups of Animals & Plants (AIDGAP).