I should have been away but have been at a workshop discussing climate changes
and its potential impacts on biodiversity - scary stuff.
I have been tempted to respond in the past to the various discussions of
birding databases and the various Atlas databases but have usually just
remained an interested spectator. However, the discussion below by Martin
raises some interesting points and so I thought I should contribute this time.
The main advantage I believe of contributing records to a state government
database is that is the where decisions on conservation issues are usually
being made.
As Martin says, NSW has the Atlas of NSW Wildlife (based pretty well on the
Victorian model) and this has been going for nearly 20 years. This is the
database I contribute my records to (mainly because I have been involved in the
development and distribution of the database in the past). However, since I now
live in Victoria (but work in NSW) I have got a Victorian Atlas book for the
odd interesting record I make in Vic (yes Martin I will send them in
eventually). I usually only contribute records of threatened species to the
database, but I will also usually record a list of species seen in the same
vicinity (including ferals) to get an idea of the common species (I am certain
I have commented previously that unless you record common things you never have
an idea of what is declining or incresing). Exceptions to this are if I am
visiting a new reserve (or having an extended stay in a previously visited one)
or doing sytematic survey as part of my work (then everything gets recorded).
We try to get most surveys that DECC does incorporated this way, but it doesn't
always work out that way (everyone thinks that their own database is the best
for their owjn project). It also includes lots of published records, records
from consultants (who should be supplying the data as part of their Scientific
Licence) and from the public. It also has 'licensed' from other bodies
(Australian Museum, CSIRO) though these are only made available to staff using
the database (the web-based application does not include these records). There
have been licences in the past with SA (to be updated soon) and I think some
discussion has been had with Victoria so we have records in these states for
areas adjoining NSW, and we have an agreement in the past with Birds Australia
(though this has not been updated and is a major limitation in the dataset we
have).
Going back to my original point, however, is that the Atlas is being used to
drive decisions by DECC (and others) for biodiversity in NSW. Examples include:
It is the main dataset used by consultants during the development process.
There is no legal requirement for them to consult any records, but the Atlas is
the minimum that we would require. Many consult other places (Museum, BA, etc.)
but this list is ever-grwoing and there is only so much time and money that
consultants have to spend on searches.
For processes such as the determing the distribution of threatened species for
native vegetation management (and biobanking) it is the main dataset (along
with some specialists knowledge) utilised (including predicting areas of
potential habitat).
Other decisions on targeted threatened species management (such as areas for
fox control, reserve design, forestry harvesting) are also based on Atlas
records.
The Atlas of NSW Wildlife is a crucial dataset that would mean that DECC would
not be able to do many of its required functions if the dataset was not
available. I understand that many of the other databases serve a function
(personal lists, twitching locations, etc.) but I would encourage people in NSW
(and Victoria) to contribute their records to the state database. The site
listed below should have a link to a spreadsheet that allows submission of
records electronically (the preferred format) but excel or database format data
can be accepted as long as it has the essential information (what, where, when
and who as a minimum). I know many people contribute to the BA Atlas and I hope
our head office people are close to resolving the issue of data exchange so
that double handling is not required, but if you submit data electronically (or
have digital records for NSW) send the Wildlife Data Unit an e-mail and
hopefully they can get your data into the Atlas.
Cheers,
Peter> To: > Subject: RE: [Birding-Aus] Re: Local extinction!>
From: > Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 16:02:28 +1000> CC:
> > Hi Peter, good questions!> > This is my
understanding of the various fauna databases available to > naturalists to
submit their data. As far as I'm aware only certain > eastern Australian states
have any form of fauna atlas. Victoria has had > its atlas (Atlas of Victorian
Wildlife) for about 30 years now.> > As you can see there are a number of bird
related databases but only a few > of these record all details associated with
sightings of fauna and have > associated mapping systems and analysis tools so
wildlife can be managed > by the relevant land manager agency.> > As a
Victorian I send most of my observations to the Atlas of Victorian > Wildlife
(AVW), but while travelling anywhere interstate I send data to > the Birds
Australia Atlas. In addition there are sometimes specific > projects that use
BA atlas forms (eg. the Victorian Lurg Woodland Bird > Survey) that I sue for
those projects. My atlas for most sightings is the > AVW as one almost always
sees other fauna when out birding (mammals, > frogs, reptiles, crays etc). I
recommend the AVW for those who do most of > their birding in Victoria
(especially if you record other fauna as well) > but understand some people are
happy with using the Birds Australia > BirdData method of lodging their
sightings directly.> > Link: Birds Australia BirdData - >
http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/our-projects/atlas-birdata.html> > It's worth
being aware that Birds Australia has a data exchange agreement > with the Atlas
of Victorian Wildlife which means that each database swaps > its avifauna
information with the other. So reporting to the AVW means > your sightings
eventually get into the BA database.> > I've generated the following
information showing the current state > government fauna databases and, where
these do not exist, the relevant > birding group sightings web pages.> > a.
Australia> Birds Australia Atlas - Australia wide coverage, birds only> Link:
http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/resources/databases.html> > b. Queensland>
Environment Protection Agency (Qld) - Coastal Bird Atlas, Queensland > coastal
birds only> Link: >
http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/wetlandinfo/site/MappingFandD/ContributeData/CoastalBirdAtlas.html>
> c. New South Wales> NSW National Parks & Wildlife Department - NSW only, all
fauna> Link: >
http://wildlifeatlas.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/wildlifeatlas/watlas.jsp> > d.
Victoria> Department of Sustainability & Environment - Victoria only, all
fauna> Link: [in preparation] (email: > Note:
currently available on CD-ROM and known as Victorian Fauna Display > (see:
http://www.viridans.com/FISVFD/VFD1.HTM)> > e. ACT> Canberra Ornithologists
Group - ACT only, birds only> Link: http://canberrabirds.org.au/Index.htm> > f.
Tasmania (books only)> University of Tasmania, Fauna of Tasmania - various
animal groups> Link: http://www.zoo.utas.edu.au/FOT2/BookletFOT.htm> > g. South
Australia> Birds South Australia, SA only, birds only> Link:
http://www.birdssa.asn.au/> > h. Western Australia> Birds Australia WA - WA
only, birds only> Link: http://www.birdswa.com.au/sightings.htm> > i. Northern
Territory> Birds Australia Atlas 2 - NT, birds only> Link:
http://birds.rhyme.com.au/> > Hope this helps ... and of course interested to
hear what I may have > missed !> > cheers, Martin> > Martin O'Brien> Wildlife
Biologist - Threatened Species & Communities Section> Department of
Sustainability and Environment> 2/8 Nicholson St.,> East Melbourne 3002>
VICTORIA> > > > > > > > Notice:> This email and any attachments may contain
information that is personal, > confidential, legally privileged and/or
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