Microsoft Access ®

Microsoft Access ® database allows information to be stored in an accessible format for use after a project has been completed. BEC Consultants is highly experienced in designing and using Microsoft Access ® software. This has been particularly valuable in large projects such as The National Survey of Native Woodland in Ireland.

Recorder

Recorder 6 is the database utilised by the National Biodiversity Network in the UK and the database provides a powerful, standards-based tool for collection and collation of biological recordings. BEC Consultants are proficient in the use of this database having used it to collate the data collected during the Rare, Threatened and Scarce Vascular Plant Survey of Counties Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Westmeath.

Turboveg

Turboveg is a comprehensive database management system designed for the storage, selection, and export of vegetation data. BEC Consultants utilised Turboveg for the National Survey of Native Woodlands and for the Irish Semi-natural Grasslands Survey.  Mobile Turboveg has also been utilised during projects, such as the National Survey of Upland Habitats and Ancient and Long Established Woodland project, to record vegetation data in the field.

ArcGIS (Geographical Information Systems)

All members of BEC Consultants are experienced in using Geographical Information Systems and use GIS at both planning and presentation stages of projects. High quality GIS projects have been produced as outputs in conjunction with reports for projects such as the Irish Semi-natural Grasslands Survey, the National Survey of Upland Habitats and the Killarney National Park Habitat Map.

Click to download a sample EU Annex I grassland habitat map produced using ArcGIS

Data Entry & Management

Accuracy and attention to detail are essential in maintaining the integrity of datasets. BEC Consultants is committed to high standards in data entry and management, and all recorded data are checked to ensure they have been entered correctly. This approach holds from small scale projects such as the Blackwood Feeder – Ecological Scoping Study right up to large projects such as The National Survey of Native Woodlands in Ireland.