The document provides information on several online resources for locating information on protected species and habitats in Ireland: 1) The NPWS Map Server on the National Parks and Wildlife Service website provides designations of protected sites like Natura 2000 sites, NHAs, and species records searchable by location. 2) Species records on the NPWS site are for those protected under wildlife acts and EU directives. Records include species name, location, and conservation status. 3) The National Biodiversity Data Centre website provides additional species records that can be more complicated to navigate but contains more information. 4) The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland website helps identify plant species through an online questionnaire form.

1. Web based Biodiversity Data: Using the internet to locate protected species and habitats Camilla KeaneNatural Environment Case Work and Research Officer An Taisce- The National Trust of Ireland

2. NPWS Map serverNational Parks and Wildlife Service website www.npws.ieThe map server provides useful information onSite designation locations – ieNatura 2000 sites (SAC & SPA), NHAs and proposed NHAs.Species records Aerial photographs often over laid with original OS map info - allow you build up your own sense of the area.

3. Species recordsSpecies records included on the website are for those species listed in:Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000.Flora (Protection) Order (S.I. No. 94 of 1999)Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (the EU Habitats Directive)Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the Conservation of Wild Birds (the EU Birds Directive) The following attributes are listed:Species Name, Location: 10km2 Grid square, Full grid reference where available and Status (whether red listed, protected etc… see above)

4. HOW TO USE THE MAP VIEWERwww.npws.ieSelect Map and Data tab – 11th option down on the left hand side of the screen.Bottom of page- select I agree with the above terms and conditions.The Map Viewer then opens in a pop up window.Select County and townlandOR fill in the Site Code

5. PROTECTED SITESNPWS website – www.npws.ieThird tab on the left hand side of the screen.3 options – SACSPANHAThen can select the county the site is inFollowed by the protected site’s name

6. National Biodiversity Data Centrewww.biodiversityireland.ieSelect the third tab along top of pageBiodiversity data then select Access DataSelect Access Data again at the bottom of the pageThen have a number of different ways to proceed.This can feel more complicated to use than NPWS but has a lot more information for species records

7. Botanical Society of the British IslesOne of the main purposes of the BSBI is to help people learn to identify plants.www.bsbi.org.ukGo to Identify a PlantThere is a very useful questionnaire form that tries to help you identify a species.

8. Thank You!