Back from the Brink vascular plant species abundance and distribution for Great Britain for the period 2002-2009

Quality Control

Data has been added annually and the database maintained from 2002 onwards; data should not be regarded as having comprehensive geographic or temporal coverage due to constraints given above. Records are variable in quality. Many records are detailed, with six-figure grid references and full dates, but some are not. A certain level of duplication can be expected. Experience is needed in interpretation. Although the dataset is comprised of records from surveys conducted or collated/checked by botanical experts and we are in the most instance confident that species were correctly identified and the geographic position derived properly, Plantlife recognises a margin of human error must be considered when looking at the dataset as a whole. Plantlife cannot therefore guarantee 100% accuracy of information included in the dataset.

Method steps

1. This dataset gives details of the species recorded, site name, OS grid reference of the site, date of record (as detailed as possible), and abundance data.
   
   Flora Guardians visit the BFB sites (usually) once a year and carry out a detailed assessment of the population - manually counting the number of plants present and noting grid reference of populations, and general site details. If the plant populations are too numerous to count manually an estimation of population size may be given. The estimation may be worked out by surveying several quadrats or transects at the site and extrapolating abundance data based on area size. Flora Guardians are often botanical experts in their own right and have been fully trained to recognise BFB species. If uncertain a second expert will be consulted to ensure correct identification.
   
   In some instances Plantlife will contract a botanical expert to visit sites and provide a report on findings. This information is also included in this dataset (and is subject to the same standards listed above).
   
   Grid references can be indicative of site location or species population. For further information on this distinction please contact Plantlife.

Geographical coverage for Back from the Brink data is dependant on where the BFB sites occur in the country. Distribution is characteristic of species habitat requirements; for example, some species have a distribution range in one country, whereas other species are confined to a region within a country. The majority of records are provided with 6 figure OS grid references, but for some records where 6 figure grid references were not recorded Plantlife supply as detailed a grid ref as possible.

Some sensitive records have had their grid references reduced from OS 6 fig to 4 fig (please see access constraint section below)