Feb 18
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) is a network of 80 participants worldwide working on an open biodiversity data infrastructure, funded by governments. It allows anyone, anywhere to access data about all types of life on Earth, shared across national boundaries via the Internet. The National Biodiversity Data Centre is Ireland’s GBIF node and contributes Irish data to the more than 400 million biodiversity records mobilised through the GBIF data portal. To find out what is happening across the network view the latest issue of Gbits, GBIF’s newsletter here.
A more detailed presentation on GBIF participation can be downloaded here.
Feb 11
Annual Meeting of Irish Freshwater Biologists 2014
When: Friday 7th March 2014
Where: University College Dublin
Organising committee: Dr Mary Kelly-Quinn (UCD), Dr Simon Harrison (UCC), Pascal Sweeney (Sweeney Consultancy), Dr Ian Donohue (TCD), Maria Walsh (National Biodiversity Data Centre).
The 2014 Annual Meeting of Irish Freshwater Biologists will feature three sessions:
Session 1: Papers on ‘Ecology of Small Waterbodies’
Papers from this session will be considered for a special issue of ‘Biology & Environment’.
Session 2: 10 minute presentations on well advanced research
Session 3: 5 minute presentations on new and ongoing research projects.
Advance registration and payment of the €20 non-refundable booking fee is necessary at:
http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/home-page/event-registration/.
Annual Meeting of Irish Freshwater Biologists_programme
Feb 07
New report published by National Biodiversity Data Centre finds the rate of invasion of alien species to Ireland is increasing
Invasion of alien species to Ireland is on the increase with nearly four times more seen in the wild in the last century than the previous one. Help is needed to combat their threat to our biodiversity, economy and health.
- 13% of the alien species are listed as invasive species which have a negative impact on our economy and biodiversity
- The estimated annual cost of alien species to Ireland is €261 million
- 31 identification sheets have been produced to help people identify some of the invasive species already in Ireland and others that might soon arrive
- This is a call to everyone to help prevent their introduction to Ireland and the wild and to report sightings of them.
“We all have our part to play in protecting Ireland’s biodiversity and economy” says Colette O’Flynn. She continues, “with the worrying increasing trend in invasions we must carefully consider the types of plants and animals we are bringing into the country and be sure that we do not allow the invasive species to enter into the wild”. To aid with identifying and reporting sightings of these invasive species, the National Biodiversity Data Centre has produced 31 identification sheets and supported development of the Invasives Ireland phone app by Longford County Council. Interestingly, half of the 12 invasive species recorded between 2001 and 2010 were first seen and reported by members of the public. These included reports of Siberian chipmunk, Chinese mitten-crab and Harlequin ladybird.
The report Ireland’s invasive and non-native species – trends in introductions published today by the National Biodiversity Data Centre [Thursday, February 6th, 2014] reveals their increase in introductions to our shores and looks at new invader species which could arrive in the future. To date, the majority of invasive species in Ireland are plants, but the future trend may be towards invertebrate and vertebrate species comprising a greater percentage of all new arrivals. Species such as Killer shrimp, Raccoon dog or the moth.
Colette O’Flynn, one of the report’s authors notes that ‘the percentage of invasive species in Ireland is comparable to other European countries as is the dramatic recent increase in introductions which is linked to increased movement of people and goods throughout the world’. Colette O’Flynn urges the “need for analysis to identify where the species are being introduced from and how they are getting here as they may be introduced through intentional trade or unintentional ‘hitchhiking’. Knowing this can help us see how best to prevent these species invading Ireland”.
The report also highlights that while the majority of species are found in the terrestrial environment the rate of increase in introductions is increasing for all environments with the greatest increase for the freshwater environment since 1980. The freshwater environment is also the only environment where analysis indicates that freshwater non-native species are more likely to be high impact invaders where they are introduced.
The identification sheets can be downloaded from the National Invasive Species Database website.
Ireland’s Invasive and Non-native Species – trends in introductions report.
Ends
Feb 05
Irish Marine Survey
The National Biodiversity Data Centre has developed a special on-line record submission form for the recording of coastal and marine biodiversity. The Irish Marine Survey form is designed to facilitate the submission of biodiversity records collected during sea dives or foreshore surveys. The form enables information on the type and duration of dives or snorkels to be captured, in addition to documenting details of seabed and seabed cover. All species seen during the survey can be recorded using a special marine species list. Once validated, all these records will be added to the National Biodiversity Database and mapped on the Data Centre Mapping System Biodiversity Maps.
The Irish Marine Survey form can be accessed here.
Jan 21
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is delighted to be working with Woodlands of Ireland, The Hedge Laying Association of Ireland and their partners to host the National Hedgerow Database. The Hedgerow Appraisal System has been developed to facilitate the description and assessment of hedgerows in Ireland. The system comprises a Standard Recording Methodology to allow for consistency of recording of all hedgerow survey data, and a Method for Data Appraisal in order to maximise the value of the data collected. Taken together these contribute to the establishment of a standard accessible National Hedgerow Database.
The Hedgerow Appraisal System, the National Hedgerow Database and the National Hedgerow Database template/Survey Field Sheets are all available to download from the National Standards pages http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/biodiversity-data/national-standards/
Jan 10
Identifying & Recording Ireland’s Biodiversity
2014 workshop programme
2014 Workshop programme
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is pleased to announce its 2014 workshop programme which will again work towards improving identification and field skills of biological groups and raising standards of data collection and management. This year’s programme will see an increase in the geographic distribution of workshops thanks to support from partners who have generously offered to host events. A new dimension to this year’s programme will be advanced training aimed at the professional ecologist to meet the needs of relevant Continuing Professional Development programmes. Our standard identification workshops will follow the usual format catering for the needs of beginners through to advanced.
We acknowledge the ongoing support and sponsorship from partners who make it possible to continue with this programme, in particular BirdWatch Ireland; Killarney National Park Education Centre; Lavistown House; Mill Street Country Park; MISE (Mammals in a Sustainable Environment); the National Botanic Gardens; National Parks & Wildlife Service; NUI Maynooth; University College Dublin and Seasearch Ireland.
Workshop fees will be €20 for standard workshops and €50 for those tailored to meet the needs of the professional ecologist.
Book online at: http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/home-page/event-registration/.
NB: Booking fees are non-transferable and non-refundable.
2014 Workshop Programme
Dec 16
Annual Meeting of Irish Freshwater Biologists 2014
When: Friday 7th March 2014
Where: University College Dublin
Organising committee: Dr Mary Kelly-Quinn (UCD), Dr Simon Harrison (UCC), Pascal Sweeney (Sweeney Consultancy), Dr Ian Donohue (TCD), Maria Walsh (National Biodiversity Data Centre).
The 2014 Annual Meeting of Irish Freshwater Biologists will feature three sessions:
Session 1: Papers on ‘Ecology of Small Waterbodies’
Papers from this session will be considered for a special issue of ‘Biology & Environment’.
Session 2: 15 minute presentations on well advanced research
Session 3: 5 minute presentations on new and ongoing research projects.
Advance registration and payment of the €20* non-refundable booking fee is necessary at:
http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/home-page/event-registration/.
If you’d like to give a presentation on your research please email a title and
abstract(150 words) to info@biodiversityireland.ie by the 24th of January 2014.
*It was necessary to increase the registration fee to cover room booking
Dec 10
The UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science in collaboration with the National Biodiversity Data Centre and with support from the Heritage Council will deliver a new one year course: ‘Certificate in Biological Recording and Identification’. It is the first university certificate in biological recording and identification in Ireland and is open to anyone who wishes to develop or hone their species identification skills and engage in biological recording.
The course would be ideal for staff of NGOs and the general public, especially those who are retired, but is also highly relevant to consultants, teachers and other professionals who wish to enhance existing skills and achieve university certification.
The course comprises three modules:
- 1) Approaches to biological recording for a range of taxa, the various types of data that can be collected and how they can be managed. Current initiatives in biological recording are outlined and students are given instruction in how to record data in a scientifically acceptable manner including use of appropriate computer software.
- 2)Classification and identification of a range of biological groups and terrestrial and freshwater sampling techniques. (Credit will be given for identification workshops taken at the Data Centre)
- 3)Individual project on a selected group of organisms – identification, field recording and written report.
The course will commence in January 2014 with the taught modules taking place on Friday mornings (8 or 9 mornings from Jan to May). The project work will take place over the summer months.
The fee for the course is €2,000 however bursaries from the Heritage Council may be awarded, on application, to cover part of this fee.
This is a Level 7 course and applicants should hold a Leaving Certificate or equivalent or have other relevant experience. Applications can be made online at htt://www.ucd.ie/apply or through Dr Mary Kelly-Quinn: mary.kelly-quinn@ucd.ie. Further information can be obtained from Dr Mary Kelly-Quinn.
Nov 25
Jimmy Deenihan TD; Michael Starrett (CEO of the Heritage Council; Dr Mary Kelly-Quinn (Chair of the National Biodiversity Data Centre) and Dr Liam Lysaght (Director of the National Biodiversicy Data Centre)
The Data Centre’s Strategic Plan 2013-2017 was launched by Jimmy Deenihan T.D. on Thursday 21st November.
Please contact the Centre if you would like a hard copy of the plan or it can be downloaded from the link below.
Strategic Plan 2013-2017
Nov 20
National Biodiversity Data Centre Series No. 1
The Data Centre has just published the first of a new report series to help develop national biodiversity data standards and guidelines. Ireland’s Red Lists – a national standard proposes a standard approach for applying the IUCN Red List Criteria in Ireland. It sets out the process to be followed, clarifies the criteria to be used and identifies the roles and responsibilities of the different partners involved in producing Red Lists. An indicative programme of Ireland’s Red Lists is also presented, building on the Ireland’s Biodiversity 2010- Knowledge Gaps initiative.
Red Lists are an internationally recognised method of assessing the threat status of species in Ireland, and ensures that biological recording efforts translate directly to the identification of conservation priorities. NPWS and NIEA is actively managing the roll out of a programme of Red List for Ireland over the coming years. To download a copy of the report click here.
