The Mammal Society uses iRecord as the central storage system for records submitted to The Mammal Society’s National Mammal Atlas Project (NMAP). This system is also used to actually access the atlas data, the public use it to view their data and it is used by the atlas verifiers to carry out the verification process. iRecord provides exactly the sort of service we need to make the most of the power of citizen science for environmental monitoring. The key aspects of a central recording system that we require include:
• An easy process to submit records
• Summary maps and tables that are simple to interpret
• An efficient verification method
The submission process is certainly easy for the iRecord site, with a form that takes a couple of minutes to fill in and asks all the relevant questions. It allows the submission of photos along with a record, which is a great feature, often making verification a much easier task.
The summary maps are displayed clearly on a 10km square grid and make it easy to focus on particular locations, species or both. The polygon option allows you to focus on any particular location, a very useful tool.
The verification process on iRecord is a great system and very simple to use. However, there are a few improvements that could be made to make the process even easier. If verifiers would like to restrict the data they check to only one county this must be done in terms of vice counties on iRecord, and only one vice county can be covered. This means that if a whole county needs to be covered by an individual they will have to view all records and restrict themselves to the relevant area. This is slightly tricky as it involves drawing a polygon on the map around their county. It would be very handy if verifiers could be sent regular updates of the specific records for their area/species that require their verification, this would make the process a lot simpler for them and would also serve as a reminder. Overall the verification process is very advanced and most agree that it is user friendly.
iRecord has provided a well thought-out site for the submission, verification and mass storage of environmental records, an excellent resource for environmental monitoring.
Written by Louise Sleeman, The Mammal Society's, Atlas Coordinator