A biological management system (BioDAT/BioIMS) for the storage, review and analysis of SINC and habitat surveys

摘要

North Yorkshire County Council as part of an ongoing review of all the Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and key habitats identified the need for up to date easily accessible and flexible data regarding the natural environment. Bullen Consultants were thereby commissioned to design and develop a computer database and information management system to store the ecological information being gathered from sites throughout the county. The ecological data will be used to evaluate each site and make decisions regarding the long-term protection from development of the most valuable nature conservation sites. The Biological DATabase (BioDAT) was developed for the storage, management and analysis of ecological information to evaluate over 1650 sites of importance for nature conservation in North Yorkshire. The main site and survey information is held in a Microsoft Access relational database management system with site survey maps and habitat information stored as overlay tables in a MapInfo GIS. The two packages are linked using a customised viewer (BioIMS) to form a fully integrated information management system. Effective decision-making by environmental managers is assisted by the hybrid system, designed to provide fast access to, and analysis of' clearly defined and interpretable data. Detailed analysis of ecological information is available for calculating areas of habitat within a specific area; identifying the presence of rare species in an area; and identifying changes in habitat distribution in areas over time. This type of information is invaluable when undertaking tasks such as nature conservation strategic planning and producing Bio-diversity Action Plans. The system is fully integrated but was developed so that both system elements can function independently if dictated by hardware, cost or other requirements. The system has been designed to be flexible and can be adapted for any geographical area or company landholding.