Using NBN Gateway records for RSPB reserves
The RSPB was recently in touch for a custom download of records of species from its reserves.
It wanted the information to find out whether there are important species on its reserves that it did not already know about.
When the records were downloaded, they did indeed show new information. At the moment the RSPB does not know how many new species the information has added because its data are in MapMate and it has not yet converted the NBN data to MapMate taxa. When it has done this it will be able to see which species are new - it does anticipate that the number is likely to be considerable.
The importance of the data is that it will help to tell the RSPB how to manage habitats on its reserves and to use it to identify the important features at each site. It will essentially allow it to make more informed decisions about management of the RSPB reserves.