Our Technology
Common figwort (
Scrophularia nodosa
)
© Steve Smith
The Kent & Medway Biological Records Centre is reliant upon computer software for all aspects of the services we provide. This software falls broadly into 3 categories, helping us with data entry, storage and allowing us to complete enquiries efficiently and provide high quality service to our partners, commercial organisations and the wider recording community.
Data Entry Software
This is pivotal to the work we do at KMBRC; it is the heart of our operation as everything else we do ultimately revolves around data. Our main database is
Recorder 2002 (soon to be upgraded to
Recorder 6). This is a robust database based on MSAccess which we use to store the majority of species data. We can also store metadata within Recorder such as recorders' details, information about locations around Kent, photographs and related literature. Recorder is a flexible piece of software that provides a standard framework for biological data storage and allows easy data exchange between organisations and individuals. Recorder 6 has been designed to specifically hold large quantities of complex data and critically will allow us room to expand.
Other software we use include COBRA (for bird data), which a robust DOS database,
Marine Recorder (for marine data), which is similar to Recorder 2002, and some custom MSAccess databases (for survey and bat data).
Data Storage
Apart from data being stored within the databases mentioned above, the databases themselves are stored on our file server. These data are then backed up twice, with one copy held in a separate building, and the other taken off-site every night.
Gorse shieldbug (
Piezodorus lituratus
)
© Steve Smith
Data Output
Data from the databases are exported in different formats to enable us to produce reports for anyone who submits an
Information Request Form. The final report is produced using MSExcel, MSWord and GIS (see below), but to get to that stage, there are various pieces of custom software. These range from different macros built in MSExcel, to RPlus (built by
Littlefield Consultancy), which pulls data in the correct format from Recorder 2002.
Mapping and GIS
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a complex piece of software that are most often used for producing maps on computer. Our reports contain maps showing designated areas, broad habitat types or Biodiversity Action Plan Priority habitats, and our printer hardware enables us to produce maps for any size up to A0. GIS can also be used to relate datasets, such as whether a species occurs within a certain habitat, or geological type.
Other Software
Besides using other software for things such as presentations, email, internet, accounts, etc., KMBRC are also having another piece of customised software developed by
Somerset Environmental Records Centre called Bioplan. This software will enable all planning applications within signed-up districts to be checked against records of protected species, habitats or sites, with a report produced for all applications that are 'flagged-up'. These reports will then be interpreted by ecologists to determine levels of mitigation, or whether the application is granted permission. Eventually, it is hoped that the same software will be further customised so that all data requests will be answered through the same system.
