SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE (~~~) RSM No 155 Biological recording in the Highlands and Islands: strategy and proposals Compiled from reports by Ian M Evans & Lorraine Mann 2001 SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE Research, Survey and Monitoring R E P O R T RSM No 155 Biological recording in the Highlands and Islands: strategy and proposals Compiled from reports by Ian M Evans & Lorraine Mann 2001 Ian M Evans, Calltuinn, Nedd, Drumbeg, by Lairg, Sutherland IV27 4NN Lorraine Mann, Midoxgate House, Fearn, Ross-SHIRE IV20 1 RP Nominated Officer: James M Williams, Chief Scientist's Unit Richard Robinson, Project Development Group Report date: 1998 Report to: Scottish Natural Heritage Contract Nos: JE00890 and JE00891 This report should be cited as follows: Evans, I.M. & Mann, L. 2001. Biological recording in the Highlands and Islands: strategy and proposals. Scottish Natural Heritage Research. Survey and Monitoring Report No 155. Scottish Natural Heritage Scottish Natural Heritage Publications Section Chief Scientist's Unit and Advisory Services Batt!eby, Redgorton. Perth PH1 3EW 2 Anderson Place, Edinburgh EH6 5NP UNITED KINGDOM UNITED KINGDOM ISSN 1350-3111 CONTENTS 1. ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................... 1 2. KEY PROPOSALS ................................................................................................................ 2 2.1 Local Records Centres ............................................................................................ 2 2.2 A Highlands and Islands Network Hub .................................................................... 2 2.3 Biological Information Products ............................................................................... 3 2.4 National and Regional Data Links ........................................................................... 3 2.5 Other developments ................................................................................................ 3 3. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 4 3.1 Purpose .................................................................................................................... 4 3.2 Perspective .............................................................................................................. 4 4. BIOLOGICAL RECORDING: WHY? ................................................................................... 6 5. BIOLOGICAL RECORDING: HOW AND WHO? ................................................................ 7 5.1 Area-based recording .............................................................................................. 7 5.2 Grid-based recording ............................................................................................... 7 5.3 Marine recording ...................................................................................................... 7 5.4 Monitoring ................................................................................................................ 8 6. THE CHALLENGES .............................................................................................................. 9 6.1 Size of the Area ....................................................................................................... 9 6.2 Population base ....................................................................................................... 9 6.3 Repatriation of data from visitors ............................................................................. 9 6.4 Other problems ...................................................................................................... 10 6.4.1 Computerisation of data .......................................................................... 10 6.4.2 Training opportunities ............................................................................. 10 6.4.3 Publications outlet. .................................................................................. 10 7. SOURCES OF INFORMATION ........................................................................................... 11 7.1 Individuals .............................................................................................................. 11 7 .2 Field Clubs ............................................................................................................. 11 7 .3 Highland Biological Recording Group ................................................................... 11 7 .4 Local Record Centres ............................................................................................ 12 7.4.1 Orkney ..................................................................................................... 12 7 .4.2 Inverness Museum ................................................................................. 12 7.4.3 Northern Highlands ................................................................................. 12 7.4.4 Skye ........................................................................................................ 12 7.4.5 lslay ......................................................................................................... 13 7.4.6 Arran ....................................................................................................... 13 7 .5 Government Agencies ........................................................................................... 13 7 .6 Non-Governmental Organisations ......................................................................... 13 7. 7 Museums .............................................................. .- ................................................. 13 7.8 Recording Schemes .............................................................................................. 14 8. THE STATE OF BIOLOGICAL RECORDING .................................................................... 15 8.1 History .......................................................................................... : ......................... 15 8.2 Terrestrial, area-based .......................................................................................... 15 8.3 Terrestrial, grid-based ............................................................................................ 15 8.3.1 'Popular' groups ...................................................................................... 16 8.3.2 'Specialist' groups ................................................................................... 16 8.4 Marine .................................................................................................................... 20 9. PROPOSALS ....................................................................................................................... 21 9.1 Potential for Partnership Support .......................................................................... 21 9.1.1 Potential partners .................................................................................... 21 9.1.2 Suggested Partnership Group ................................................................ 22 9.2 Main local record centres ....................................................................................... 22 9.2.1 Location ................................................................................................... 22 9.2.2 Staffing .................... .-............................................................................... 24 9.3 Networking and outreach ....................................................................................... 24 9.3.1 Existing Records Centres ....................................................................... 25 9.3.2 Field clubs and other voluntary organisations ........................................ 25 9.3.3 Key individuals: ....................................................................................... 25 9.3.4 Support groups ....................................................................................... 26 9.4 Funding .................................................................................................................. 26 10. APPENDICES .................................................................................................................... 28 10.1 Potential projects ................................................................................................. 28 10.1.1 Capacity-building projects .................................................................... 28 10.1.2 Pilot projects ......................................................................................... 30 10.2 Assynt: a case study in biological recording at the parish level .......................... 31 10.2.1 Location, extent, population .................................................................. 31 10.2.2 Manpower ............................................................................................. 32 10.2.3 Current and recent projects in biological recording .............................. 34 10.2.4 Summary ............................................................................................... 36 10.3 Consultees ........................................................................................................... 37 10.4 Glossary ............................................................................................................... 38 10.5 References ..........................................................................................................