The Biological Recording Handbook: Making Wildlife Count

Biological recording is the discipline of writing down natural history observations of a correctly identified species, in a specific location, on a specific date, by a named individual. Simple enough, you may think. But these four pieces of data each have their own pitfalls for the unwary, whether making records or using them in analysis.

This is the first time that the all principles and processes of biological recording have been brought together, with a detailed look at some fascinating historical examples. What is biological recording, why do we do it, how did it start, and why does it underpin just about every evidence-based decision that is made in conservation? The book covers:

- The art of recording – in-depth, practical information from site-specific work and different habitats to handling absence data, bias and error.
- Planning – including relevant legislation and monitoring.
- Context – databases, collections, rarities, refereeing/validation.
- Analysis – working with lists and indicator species.
- Reporting – how-to, the community, ownership and confidentiality.

Controversial topics such as species reintroductions are discussed, tips are offered on how to make the most effective use of data, and readers are invited to carry out thought experiments on aspects of their own recording activities and well as considering the future of this all-important discipline.

The Biological Recording Handbook provides comprehensive guidance for anyone making wildlife records, whether amateur recorder, ecological consultant or conservation biology academic.

Sarah Whild’s career has been spent teaching biological recording as a university lecturer, although by nature she is a botanist and has been an ecological consultant. Now retired, she works closely with the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland on field skills and is currently Chair of the National Forum for Biological Recording.