1. The Species database form:

2. Species database tools:

Field		Notes
	Species name search	Search for matching Species - enter the search text (species name) in the space provided and press the Search button. The search text does not need to be a complete species name - for example: searching for "elephant" (by common name) will list all species which include "elephant" as part of their name [5 matches]. searching for "euphrasia" (by scientific name) will list all species which include "euphrasia" as part of their name [92 matches]. Each separate word in the search text is matched - for example: searching for "purple emperor" (by common name) will list all species which include either "purple" or "emperor" in their name [103 matches]. For a brief description of species names' etymology see Note 3.1. For a brief summary of the search algorithm see Note 3.2.
	Search type	Specify field to be searched - Common or Latin (scientific) names.
	Search method	Specify method of searching - exact or fuzzy matching. Exact matching will only show species names that precisely match any word the search text. Fuzzy matching will additionally show species names that are broadly similar to the search text (for example, those that contain missing or transposed letters), but as a result will return many more hits.
	Family search	Search for species within a particular family - enter the search text (family name) in the space provided and press the Search button. Family searches use Latin (scientific) family names and exact matching. Only one family name can be searched at any time.
	Search results	List of species that either: match one or more words in the specified search text (species name searches). belong to the named family (family searches). Select a species from the list (by clicking on it) to display full species information (Field ).
	Select species	Add highlighted species (from Field ) to the list of selected species (Field ).
	Species information	Detailed taxonomic and conservation information about the highlighted Species in the list of search results (Field ). [Preferred Scientific and Common names; authority; alternative Scientific and Common names; UK status; Conservation status; NBN key and Taxonomic information.]
	Web-based species information	Lookup additional web-based resources for this species. The web-lookup requires an open internet connection.
	Selected species	Species selected from the list of search results (Field ). When the form is being used as a Species lookup tool, these values are returned from the dialog on exit. When the form is simply being used to explore Species names, these values are retained for reference only.
	Help	View this help page.
	OK	Close the dialog.
	Cancel	Cancel the form.

3. Additional Notes.

3.1. Species Names

Why name species? Simply by naming objects, we are able to do a number of useful things; from communicating information about them, through comparing and recording them, to more esoteric concepts such as classifying them. Most commonly encountered species have a number of names which fall into two groups; everyday (common) names and scientific (latin) names.

3.1.1. Common names

The everyday names that we use for animals, plants and fungi form a rich part of our heritage. Their early origins are often uncertain, being deeply rooted in language development, herbal knowledge and folklore. However a scan through any species list will emphasise their vivid imagery - it is difficult to forget the name of an Orange Tip butterfly or Snakelocks anemone after your first encounter.

3.1.2. Scientific names

All recognised species are given a unique scientific name, based on the binomial classification system pioneered by Linnaeus. Species names have two components: the group (genus) to which the species belongs and specific name (epithet). For example, Quercus alba (White Oak); Quercus is the genus name for oaks, alba (latin for 'white') describes one particular type (species) of oak.

Scientific names are always written according to a strict convention: the genus is capitalised and the specific epithet is lowercase. Both components must be used when describing species (although genus may be abbreviated to a single letter after first use). Scientific names are also generally italicised or underlined.
eg.

• Lepus timidus - Mountain or Snow Hare
• Mycena adonis - Coral-pink Bonnet fungus
• Colias croceus - Clouded Yellow butterfly

Scientific names are occasionally updated, for example when new evidence shows that a species does not belong in the genus to which it was originally assigned.
eg.

• Painted Lady butterfly - Vanessa cardui (previously Cynthia cardui)

In such cases the species is given a new (preferred) scientific name; however existing literature will continue to describe the species by its original name - this therefore remains relevant to understanding the complete description of the species.

3.1.3. References and further Information

Naming Species - UK Species website (Green Man Software).

3.2. Species-name search algorithm

This section briefly summarises the different methods used to search the species database - understanding the steps (algorithms) involved may allow you to use the tools more effectively.

3.2.1. Exact match algorithm

In the exact match algorithm, the search text is divided into words (separated by spaces) and each word used as a separate search term. This allows you to use fairly generic searches (for example when you can only remember part of a name) and sort through the results to find the appropriate species:

Searching for "mouse hawkweed" will return more than 300 matches - Mouse-ear Hawkweed (ranked first) is the most likely candidate.

In both common name and latin name searches, the preferred name and any alternative names are searched. This ensures that the relevant species is easily identified, even when scientific names have been updated or a species is known by different common names locally.

Example 1. (Common name search) Searching for "Throttle-wort" will identify "Foxglove" as the best match (more widespread common name).

Example 2. (Latin name search) Searching for "Rana esculenta" will identify "Pelophylax esculentus" as the best match (updated scientific name).

Finally the search results are ranked by relevance, primarily by the closeness of matching (but also by several other factors).

Searching for "Bright-line Brown-eye" will rank results in order: "Bright-line Brown-eye", "Brown-line Bright-eye", "Clear-eye", etc.

3.2.2. Fuzzy match algorithm

The fuzzy match algorithm uses a slightly different approach, matching the entire search text directly against each of the species names and checking for correspondence. This method will match approximations to a name (particularly useful for scientific names), repeated or missing letters, transpositions and other similar errors. As a result searches using fuzzy matching will generally return many more hits than those using exact matching.

Example 1. (Common name search) Searching for "Redneck Phallarope" will identify "Red-necked Phalarope" as a potential match (alongside others).

Example 2. (Latin name search) Searching for "Vipera beris" will identify "Vipera berus" as a possible match (common spelling mistake).

Again the search results are ranked by relevance, primarily by the closeness of correspondence with the original search text. As for exact match searches, the matching algorithm examines the preferred and alternative names.

3.2.3. Family search algorithm

The family name search uses the exact matching algorithm (see section 3.1.1) with the simplification of only matching a single word.

1. The Taxon database form:

2. Taxon database tools:

Field		Notes
	'Tree of life' classification scheme	A list of recognised taxonomic groups (see Note 3.1), systematically arranged in a hierarchial tree. The classification scheme is represented by: High-level taxonomic groups (), eg. Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order (and related super- and sub-components), which form the higher levels of the classification tree. Families (), which occupy the lowest levels of the classification tree and contain related species. Click on the '[+]' symbol to the left of a group name to expand its sub-groups or list its component species.
	Search 'Tree of life' classification scheme	Search the Taxonomic classification by entering a name (or part of a name) in the space provided and using the Search button to locate matching category names. [Categories are searched in a forward direction from the current position - press Search repeatedly to cycle sequentially through all occurrences of the search text in the classification scheme.]
	Taxon information	Summary information about the currently selected Taxon group (in Field ). Taxon information includes taxonomic status, preferred / alternative common and scientific names, brief description, etc.
	Species list	List of species that occur in a specified Family group (ie. selected in Field ). [Certain families, for example many single-celled organisms, do not have any listed species - these are in the process of being added to the species database.]
	Select species	Add highlighted species (from Field ) to the list of selected species (Field ).
	Selected species	Species selected from the family-based list (Field ). When the form is being used as a Species lookup tool, these values are returned from the dialog on exit. When the form is simply being used to explore taxonomic relationships, these values are retained for reference only.
	Help	View this help page.
	OK	Close the dialog.
	Cancel	Cancel the form.

3. Additional Notes.

3.1. Taxonomic Classification

Organisms are grouped (classified) by comparing structural (and more recently genetic) similarities, and using these to arrange species according to common ancestry. Several alternative classification schemes exist, based on different interpretations of these relationships; indeed classification systems are fairly frequently revised, particularly as a result of the extraordinary advances in molecular and DNA studies in recent years. One commonly used classification scheme is:

Kingdom	Five kingdoms are usually recognised (Protoctista,Monera,Fungi,Plants,Animals)
Phylum	This is termed Division in the plant kingdom.
Class
Order
Family	Highest group commonly used in Species classification (generally small enough to distinguish members). Family names for animals end in -idae, for plants in -aceae.
Genus	Highest group directly referred in scientific name.
Species	Epithet in scientific name.
Subspecies, Varieties, Forms, etc	All groups below Species will interbreed if isolating factors are removed.

A number of further taxonomic sub-divisions (eg. superfamily, suborder, tribe) may be used to denote finer-scale groupings.

3.1.1. References and further Information

The Need for Classification Anonymous.

1. The Geology classification scheme form:

2. Geology classification scheme tools:

Field		Notes
	Rock Classification scheme	A list of recognised Rock types, systematically arranged in a hierarchial tree (British Geological Survey classification scheme - see Note 3.1). The classification scheme is represented by: Rock groups (), which form the higher levels of the classification tree, contain geologically-similar sub-groups or rock-types. Rock types (), which occupy the lowest levels of the classification tree, represent indivisible types. Click on the '[+]' symbol to the left of a Rock group name to expand its sub-types.
	Item information	Relevant information about the selected Rock type or group.
	Search Rock types	Search the Rock Classification scheme by entering a name (or part of a name) in the space provided and using the Search button to locate matching category names. [Categories are searched in a forward direction from the current position - press Search repeatedly to cycle sequentially through all occurrences of the search text in the classification scheme.]
	Help	View this help page.
	OK	Close the dialog.

3. Additional Notes.

3.1. Rock Classification Scheme

The Rock Classification Scheme used here is developed the British Geological Survey, and provides a standardised system for classifying and naming geological materials encountered in the UK.

The BGS Rock Classification Scheme comprises five top-level categories (Igneous rock, Metamorphic rock, Sediments and sedimentary rock, Natural superficial deposits and Artifical man-made ground) and a variable number of second and lower-level categorisations. The classification allows unambiguous and informative formal names to be assigned and helps to place materials in a wider geological context, facilitating (among other things) storage in geological information systems and production of geological maps.

Details of the principles behind the BGS Rock Classification Scheme (RCS), the classification scheme itself and a wealth of associated geological information is available on the British Geological Survey website, or by contacting the British Geological Survey at Keyworth.

3.1.1. References and further Information

BGS Rock Classification Scheme (http://www.bgs.ac.uk/bgsrcs/) - background, details and latest version of the British Geological Survey's Rock Classification scheme (RCS).
British Geological Survey (http://www.bgs.ac.uk/) - research centre for Geological Sciences at Keyworth, Notts.

1. The Soil classification scheme form:

2. Soil classification scheme tools:

Field		Notes
	Soil Classification scheme	A list of recognised Soil types, systematically arranged in a hierarchial tree (National Soil Survey classification scheme - see Note 3.1). The classification scheme is represented by: Soil groups (), which form the higher levels of the classification tree, contain similar sub-groups or soil-types. Soil types (), which occupy the lowest levels of the classification tree, represent indivisible types. Click on the '[+]' symbol to the left of a Soil group name to expand its sub-types.
	Item information	Relevant information about the selected Soil type or group.
	Search Soil types	Search the Soil Classification scheme by entering a name (or part of a name) in the space provided and using the Search button to locate matching category names. [Categories are searched in a forward direction from the current position - press Search repeatedly to cycle sequentially through all occurrences of the search text in the classification scheme.]
	Help	View this help page.
	OK	Close the dialog.

3. Additional Notes.

3.1. Soil Classification Scheme

The Soil Classification Scheme used here was originally developed for the National Soil Survey of England and Wales at Rothamstead Experimental Station ("Soil Classification for England and Wales [Higher Categories]." B.W. Avery. 1980.). The classification scheme was later extended by National Soil Resources Institute (Cranfield University) to include more urban and man-made soil types, and provides the standardised system for classifying and naming soil types of England and Wales. (In Scotland an alternative classification system is often used, due to the marked differences in soil types in this region.)

The NSRI Soil Classification Scheme comprises eleven major (top-level) groups and a variable number of second and lower-level categorisations. The classification scheme shown here incorporates the higher level categories only. The classification allows unambiguous and informative formal names to be assigned and helps to place materials in a wider environmental context, facilitating (among other things) storage in environmental information systems and production of soil maps.

A full description of the NSRI Soil Classification Scheme, the classification scheme itself and a wealth of soil-related information is available on the National Soil Resources Institute website, or by contacting the National Soil Resources Institute at Cranfield University.

3.1.1. References and further Information

"Soil Classification for England and Wales [Higher Categories]." B.W. Avery. 1980. Soil Survey - Technical Monograph No. 14. Harpendon.
National Soil Resources Institute (http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/sas/nsri/) - research centre for Soil Science at Cranfield University.
Soil-Net (http://www.soil-net.com/) - An extensive Internet resource providing information about Soils, developed by National Soil Resources Institute.

1. The Vegetation classification scheme form:

2. Vegetation classification scheme tools:

Field		Notes
	Vegetation Classification scheme	A list of recognised Vegetation types, systematically arranged in a hierarchial tree (National Vegetation Classification scheme - see Note 3.1). The classification scheme is represented by: Vegetation groups (), which form the higher levels of the classification tree, contain similar sub-groups or vegetation-types. Vegetation types (), which occupy the lowest levels of the classification tree, represent indivisible types. Click on the '[+]' symbol to the left of a Vegetation group name to expand its sub-types.
	Item information	Relevant information about the selected Vegetation type or group.
	Search Vegetation types	Search the Vegetation Classification scheme by entering a name (or part of a name) in the space provided and using the Search button to locate matching category names. [Categories are searched in a forward direction from the current position - press Search repeatedly to cycle sequentially through all occurrences of the search text in the classification scheme.]
	Help	View this help page.
	OK	Close the dialog.

3. Additional Notes.

3.1. National Vegetation Classification Scheme

The National Vegetation Classification Scheme used here was developed by Dr J. Rodwell (Unit of Vegetation Science, Lancaster University) for the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and provides a standardised system for classifying and naming vegetation community types encountered in the UK.

The National Vegetation Classification scheme is a 'phytosociological' classification - classifying vegetation solely by the component plant species. The Vegetation Classification Scheme comprises twelve major vegetation types (which are denoted by letter codes) and a variable number of community and sub-community categorisations. The classification allows unambiguous and informative formal names to be assigned and helps to place vegetation communities in a wider environmental context, facilitating (among other things) storage in environmental information systems and production of vegetation maps.

A full description of the National Vegetation Classification scheme, the classification scheme itself and a wealth of related information is available on the JNCC website, or by contacting the Joint Nature Conservation Committee at Peterborough.

3.1.1. References and further Information

"British Plant Communities. Volume 1. Woodlands and scrub." Rodwell, J.S. (ed.) 1991. Cambridge University Press.
"British Plant Communities. Volume 2. Mires and heath." Rodwell, J.S. (ed.) 1991. Cambridge University Press.
"British Plant Communities. Volume 3. Grassland and montane communities." Rodwell, J. S. (ed.) 1992. Cambridge University Press.
"British Plant Communities. Volume 4. Aquatic communities, swamps and tall-herb fens." Rodwell, J.S. (ed.) 1995. Cambridge University Press.
"British plant communities. Volume 5. Maritime communities and vegetation of open habitats." Rodwell, J.S. (ed.) 2000. Cambridge University Press.

"National Vegetation Classification: User's handbook."; John S. Rodwell. 2006. JNCC Publications (ISBN: 0-86139-636-7).
This publication is also available as a free download from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) website (pdf format).

"Review of coverage of the National Vegetation Classification." Rodwell, J.S., et al. 2000. Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report No. 302. Rodwell, J.

1. The Freshwater classification scheme form:

2. Freshwater classification scheme tools:

Field		Notes
	Freshwater Classification scheme	A list of recognised freshwater categories and community types, systematically arranged in a hierarchial tree (Standing waters, Rivers and Streams classification scheme - see Note 3.1). The classification scheme is represented by: Freshwater groups (), which form the higher levels of the classification tree, contain similar sub-groups or freshwater community types. Freshwater types (), which occupy the lowest levels of the classification tree, represent indivisible community types. Click on the '[+]' symbol to the left of a Freshwater group name to expand its sub-types.
	Item information	Relevant information about the selected Freshwater community type or group.
	Search Freshwater types	Search the Freshwater Classification scheme by entering a name (or part of a name) in the space provided and using the Search button to locate matching category names. [Categories are searched in a forward direction from the current position - press Search repeatedly to cycle sequentially through all occurrences of the search text in the classification scheme.]
	Help	View this help page.
	OK	Close the dialog.

3. Additional Notes.

A number of schemes have been developed to describe characteristics of flowing and static waterbodies in the UK. Two separate classification schemes are used here:

'The Vegetation communities of British lakes: a revised classification', developed by Dr C. Duigan et al. (2006) for the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, provides a standardised system for classifying and naming vegetation community types encountered in standing waters (lakes and pools) in the UK. The revised lakes classification scheme comprises ten major (top-level) groups (A-J), and a single second-level categorisation.

'The Vegetation communities of British rivers - a revised classification' was developed by Dr N. Holmes et al. (1999) for the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and provides a standardised system for classifying and naming vegetation community types encountered in rivers and streams in the UK. The revised British rivers and streams Classification scheme comprises four major groups (A-D), which in turn are split into a number of types and sub-types.

The two classifications allow unambiguous and informative formal names to be assigned and helps to place waterbodies in a wider environmental context, facilitating (among other things) storage in environmental information systems and production of maps. A full description of both the lakes and rivers/streams classification schemes, the classification schemes themself and a wealth of related information about freshwater classifications are available on the JNCC website, or by contacting the Joint Nature Conservation Committee at Peterborough.

At the present time there is no robust classification system for canals and small ponds (<0.01ha).

3.1.1. References and further Information

"Vegetation communities of British lakes: a revised classification." Duigan CA, Kovach WL, and Palmer M. 2006. JNCC Publications.
"Vegetation communities of British rivers - a revised classification." Holmes, N.T, Boon, P.J., and Rowell, T.A. 1999. JNCC Publications.

1. The Artifact classification scheme form:

2. Artifact classification scheme tools:

Field		Notes
	Artifacts Classification scheme	A list of recognised Artifact types, systematically arranged in a hierarchial tree (Landscape Artifacts classification scheme - see Note 3.1). The classification scheme is represented by: Artifact groups (), which form the higher levels of the classification tree, contain functionally-related sub-groups or artifact types. Artifact types (), which occupy the lowest levels of the classification tree, represent indivisible artifact types. Click on the '[+]' symbol to the left of an Artifact group name to expand its sub-types.
	Item information	Relevant information about the selected Artifact type or group.
	Search Artifact types	Search the Artifact Classification scheme by entering a name (or part of a name) in the space provided and using the Search button to locate matching category names. [Categories are searched in a forward direction from the current position - press Search repeatedly to cycle sequentially through all occurrences of the search text in the classification scheme.]
	Help	View this help page.
	OK	Close the dialog.

3. Additional Notes.

3.1. Artifacts Classification Scheme

The Artifacts Classification Scheme used here was developed by Green Man Software Ltd for classifying landscape artifacts commonly encountered in the UK countryside. It incorporates the Hedgerows Classification Scheme developed by Roger Cummins et al. (1992) at the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (now Centre for Ecology and Hydrology) for hedges and hedge-bottom communities across the UK.

The Artifacts Classification Scheme comprises twelve major (top-level) groups and a variable number of second and lower-level categorisations, describing the diverse range of man-made structures or perturbations (from ancient monuments to modern transport systems) that may impact our natural environment. The classification allows unambiguous and informative formal names to be assigned and helps to place such constructions in a wider environmental context, facilitating (among other things) storage in environmental information systems and production of habitat maps.

A full description of the Artifacts Classification Scheme, and the classification scheme itself, are available on the FieldNotes website.

3.1.1. References and further Information

"Diversity in British Hedgerows"; Roger Cummins, Don French, Bob Bunce, David Howard and Colin Barr. ITE, Banchory. 1992. NERC / ITE Project T02071a1.
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (http://www.ceh.ac.uk/) - research centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Landscape Artifacts classification scheme - background, details and latest version of the Artifacts Classification scheme (ACS).

1. The Vice-counties system form:

2. Vice-counties system tools:

Field		Notes
	VC map	Map of the 112 Vice Counties used for wildlife recording in Great Britain.
	VC list	List of Vice Counties used for wildlife recording in Great Britain (and additionally those relating to the Channel Islands and Ireland). Select a Vice County from the list (by clicking on it) to display relevant information (Field ).
	VC details	Summary information about the selected Vice County (Field ).
	Help	View this help page.
	OK	Close the dialog.
	Cancel	Cancel the form.

3. Additional Notes.

3.1. Vice-counties system

The Vice county system provides a convenient means of sub-dividing the UK and Ireland into manageable regions for compiling wildlife records and habitat information.

Figure 1. The Vice County system was first published by Hewett Watson in 1852, dividing England, Scotland and Wales into 112 regions. Each Vice County is roughly half the size of traditional counties (hence the name), and based on the county borders at that time.

3.2. Why use Vice Counties?

For most organisations involved in wildlife recording, the UK as a whole (or even England, Scotland and Wales separately) represents too large an area for compiling records. Although the (administrative) counties appear to offer a more manageable regional basis for record collation, county borders are quite frequently revised, mainly for political reasons. This has the unfortunate side-effect of introducing some unusual anomalies into wildlife records, for example;

• records for regions which pass from one county to another are collated by different Records Centres (or Local Authorities) at different times, fragmenting long-term trends.
• more surprisingly, some immobile species (such as rare plants) may appear to move from county to county over time as a result of boundary-revisions.

At first sight the Watsonian Vice county system seems to add unnecessary complication to wildlife recording; however for collating wildlife information on a regional basis it offers a number of distinct advantages:

• VC borders are invariable (dating back to the original specification)
• VC names are unique and fixed (immune to changes in County names)
• region sizes are broadly similar

Vice counties are generally referred to by codes (see Table below). As most naturalists work wholly within one or at most several vice counties, it is unnecessary to remember VC codes for more these.

In general the Vice County system makes it easier to analyse and understand species distributions in the UK, and particularly how these change with time. This is more evident with static or sedentary species (plants, fungi, etc) than highly mobile species (butterflies and moths, birds, bats), and different recording groups place different emphasis on using the Vice County system.

3.3. Vice Counties of Great Britain and Ireland

VC code	Coverage	Administrative region
01	West Cornwall with Scilly	England
02	East Cornwall	England
03	South Devon	England
04	North Devon	England
05	South Somerset	England
06	North Somerset	England
07	North Wiltshire	England
08	South Wiltshire	England
09	Dorset	England
10	Isle of Wight	England
11	South Hampshire	England
12	North Hampshire	England
13	West Sussex	England
14	East Sussex	England
15	East Kent	England
16	West Kent	England
17	Surrey	England
18	South Essex	England
19	North Essex	England
20	Hertfordshire	England
21	Middlesex	England
22	Berkshire	England
23	Oxfordshire	England
24	Buckinghamshire	England
25	East Suffolk	England
26	West Suffolk	England
27	East Norfolk	England
28	West Norfolk	England
29	Cambridgeshire	England
30	Bedfordshire	England
31	Huntingdonshire	England
32	Northamptonshire	England
33	East Gloucestershire	England
34	West Gloucestershire	England
35	Monmouthshire	Wales
36	Herefordshire	England
37	Worcestershire	England
38	Warwickshire	England
39	Staffordshire	England
40	Shropshire	England
41	Glamorgan	Wales
42	Breconshire	Wales
43	Radnorshire	Wales
44	Carmarthenshire	Wales
45	Pembrokeshire	Wales
46	Cardiganshire	Wales
47	Montgomeryshire	Wales
48	Merioneth	Wales
49	Caernarvonshire	Wales
50	Denbighshire	Wales
51	Flintshire	Wales
52	Anglesey	Wales
53	South Lincolnshire	England
54	North Lincolnshire	England
55	Leicestershire with Rutland	England
56	Nottinghamshire	England
57	Derbyshire	England
58	Cheshire	England
59	South Lancashire	England
60	West Lancashire	England
61	South-east Yorkshire	England
62	North-east Yorkshire	England
63	South-west Yorkshire	England
64	Mid-west Yorkshire	England
65	North-west Yorkshire	England
66	Durham	England
67	South Northumberland	England
68	North Northumberland	England
69	Westmoreland with Furness	England
70	Cumberland	England
71	Isle of Man	Isle of Man
72	Dumfriesshire	Scotland
73	Kircudbrightshire	Scotland
74	Wigtownshire	Scotland
75	Ayrshire	Scotland
76	Renfrewshire	Scotland
77	Lanarkshire	Scotland
78	Peebleshire	Scotland
79	Selkirkshire	Scotland
80	Roxburghshire	Scotland
81	Berwickshire	Scotland
82	East Lothian	Scotland
83	Midlothian	Scotland
84	West Lothian	Scotland
85	Fife	Scotland
86	Stirlingshire	Scotland
87	West Perthshire	Scotland
88	Mid Perthshire	Scotland
89	East Perthshire	Scotland
90	Angus	Scotland
91	Kincardineshire	Scotland
92	South Aberdeenshire	Scotland
93	North Aberdeenshire	Scotland
94	Banffshire	Scotland
95	Moray	Scotland
96	Easterness	Scotland
97	Westerness	Scotland
98	Main Argyll	Scotland
99	Dunbartonshire	Scotland
100	Clyde Isles	Scotland
101	Kintyre	Scotland
102	South Ebudes	Scotland
103	Mid Ebudes	Scotland
104	North Ebudes	Scotland
105	West Ross	Scotland
106	East Ross	Scotland
107	East Sutherland	Scotland
108	West Sutherland	Scotland
109	Caithness	Scotland
110	Outer Hebrides	Scotland
111	Orkney	Scotland
112	Shetland	Scotland
113 / C	Channel Islands	Channel Islands
H1	South Kerry	Ireland
H2	North Kerry	Ireland
H3	West Cork	Ireland
H4	Mid-Cork	Ireland
H5	East Cork	Ireland
H6	Waterford	Ireland
H7	South Tipperary	Ireland
H8	Limerick	Ireland
H9	Clare	Ireland
H10	North Tipperary	Ireland
H11	Kilkenny	Ireland
H12	Wexford	Ireland
H13	Carlow	Ireland
H14	Laois	Ireland
H15	South-east Galway	Ireland
H16	West Galway	Ireland
H17	North-east Galway	Ireland
H18	Offaly	Ireland
H19	Kildare	Ireland
H20	Wicklow	Ireland
H21	Dublin	Ireland
H22	Meath	Ireland
H23	Westmeath	Ireland
H24	Longford	Ireland
H25	Roscommon	Ireland
H26	East Mayo	Ireland
H27	West Mayo	Ireland
H28	Sligo	Ireland
H29	Leitrim	Ireland
H30	Cavan	Ireland
H31	Louth	Ireland
H32	Monaghan	Ireland
H33	Fermanagh	Northern Ireland
H34	East Donegal	Ireland
H35	West Donegal	Ireland
H36	Tyrone	Northern Ireland
H37	Armargh	Northern Ireland
H38	Down	Northern Ireland
H39	Antrim	Northern Ireland
H40	Londonderry	Northern Ireland

One minor drawback of using the Vice county system is that in some cases, as a result of changes to administrative boundaries, vice counties are spread over two or more separate administrative regions.

3.4. References and further Information

NBN Watsonian Vice County information and boundary dataset downloads. (http://www.nbn.org.uk/SpecialPages/WVCB-Download.aspx).
Wikipedia: Vice-county (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vice-county).

1. The Priority Species form:

2. Priority Species tools:

Field		Notes
	Priority Species	List of UK BAP Priority Species (see Note 3.1) . Click on a column-header to sort list alphabetically by column. [Listed values: Scientific name; Sub-species (if relevant); Common name(s); Priority Status.]
	Search Priority Species	Search for a Priority Species by entering the first few letters of the scientific name in the space provided and using the Search button to locate matching species. [Species are searched in a forward direction from the current position - press Search repeatedly to cycle sequentially through all occurrences of the search text in the Species list.]
	Species notes	Summary information about the selected Priority Species.
	Help	View this help page.
	OK	Close the dialog.

3. Additional Notes.

3.1. BAP Priority Species

The list of BAP Priority Species includes all UK species which are considered to be most threatened, or requiring specific conservation action, identified under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

A number of criteria are considered in formulating the BAP Priority Species list, including;

• Species which are threatened internationally
• Species for which the UK has an international responsibility, and also which have also declined by 25% in the UK
• Species which have declined by more than 50% in the UK
• Other factors - for example evidence of extreme threat where numbers are poorly known

The list of UK BAP Priority Species is revised on a regular basis - see http://www.ukbap.org.uk/ for the latest information.

1. The Priority Habitats form:

2. Priority Habitats tools:

Field		Notes
	Priority Habitats	A list of UK BAP Priority Habitats (see Note 3.1) and distinguishing Site classification types. The relationship between Priority Habitats and Site classiciation types is represented by: Priority Habitats list (), which form the top-most levels of the tree. Site Classification types (), which occupy the lowest level of the tree. Click on the '[+]' symbol to the left of a Priority Habitat name to explore its representative types.
	Search Priority Habitats	Search for a Priority Habitat (or representative Site classification type) by entering the first few letters of the name in the space provided and using the Search button to locate matching categories. [Category names are searched in a forward direction from the current position - press Search repeatedly to cycle sequentially through all occurrences of the search text in the Priority Habitats list.]
	Habitat notes	Summary information about the selected Site Classification type. [Authority proposing the association between Priority Habitat/Site Classification and relevant notes.]
	Help	View this help page.
	OK	Close the dialog.

3. Additional Notes.

3.1. BAP Priority Habitats

The list of BAP Priority Habitats includes all UK habitats which are considered to be most threatened, or requiring specific conservation action, identified under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

A number of criteria are considered in formulating the BAP Priority Habitats list, including;

• Habitats for which the UK has an international responsibility
• Natural and semi-natural habitats in the UK which are considered threatened (rare or declining)
• Habitats which are important for key species
• Habitats which are 'functionally critical' for the well-being of certain species - for example overwintering grounds.

The list of UK BAP Priority Habitats is revised on a regular basis - see http://www.ukbap.org.uk/ for the latest information.