Species Data

Why use species data?

Understanding the species currently present on your land, plus those that were present historically, is important in planning appropriate land management. It is also advisable to consider species found in the surrounding area.

Certain species, such as great crested newt, are protected by law, and must be reflected in land management decisions. Other species are scarce. Managing land sympathetically can help their fragile populations.

Initially you should consider species currently present on your land. Local knowledge will be key here. It may also provide an insight into species that were historically present which have disappeared. If a species was previously known, it might return in response to good management.

The ability of species to move through the landscape varies hugely. At one end of the scale, birds are highly mobile and can colonise new areas quickly, as has been seen with the spread of little egret over the past few decades. On the other hand, some species, such as woodland plants, are very immobile and slow to colonise. It is worth looking at species data for the surrounding area, and talking to nearby landowners, to get an insight into key nearby species.
 

Where does species data come from?

Local knowledge will be the key source of local species information. Landowners often have a detailed understanding of species on their land, both currently and historically. Neighbouring landowners may have similar knowledge, which can help build an important picture. Farm cluster groups can be an excellent forum for the exchange of such information between nearby landowners.

There is also a long-standing formal system of species recording in the UK, which is an important source of information.
 

Further information:
 

Norfolk Wildlife Trust handout - Biological records - How to record, access and use data in Norfolk [add link once handout on website].

Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service (NBIS) is the Local Environmental Record Centre holding information on species, geodiversity, habitats and protected sites for the whole of the county of Norfolk.

National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas - is the UK’s largest repository of publicly available biodiversity data. This can be searched for biological records from your local area.

How do I use species data?

Is a species rare?

In many cases NBIS can provide information on the scarcity or designation of species listed, or data can be requested based on scarcity criteria.

There are published Red Lists for groups of species, giving an assessment of threatened species.

Further information:
Rare and scarce plants in Norfolk
Rare and interesting epiphytes in Norfolk
Mammal Society Red List
British Trust for Ornithology – list of bird species of concern
RSPB – UK conservation status of birds explained
Buglife – Policy & legislation summary for invertebrates
IUCN Red List of threatened species

Does the species or group indicate high quality habitat?

Certain species are indicators of high quality or particularly valuable habitat. This could be because they require particular resources, such as clean air or clean water, or because they are slow colonisers, such as ancient woodland indicators.
High quality habitat is often reflected in the site being designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or as a County Wildlife Site (CWS)

Norfolk County Wildlife Site information can be helpful in assessing the quality of habitat present:
Species selection criteria
Habitat selection criteria
 
What should I do to help priority species?

If you believe that you have scarce or threatened species or habitats on your land, please contact Norfolk Wildlife Trust for advice.
County Wildlife Sites (CWS) are areas of land rich in wildlife and outside of the nationally protected areas (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserves) they are the best areas for wildlife in Norfolk. There are more than 1,300 CWS in all in Norfolk, making them a fantastic resource for wildlife.