Science & Research

The Distribution Database

The BSBI now operates a Distribution Database as a central store for all our records of plants and charophytes. It contains some 15 million biological records (November 2010) and is expected to grow to twice that size in the next year or two. It is updated frequently from our network of Mapmate recorders and from other sources such as herbarium digitization projects.

The Big d/b gives all records in full detail and is fully editable by users. Because this is research level, live, data it is not appropriate for the general public or for consultancies. Filtered, interpreted data can be obtained from your local records centre, the NBN Gateway and other public sources.

BSBI county recorders, referees and other approved users are given password to access the database. If you think you have a legitimate reason to access it, please contact Kevin Walker or Alex Lockton.

Serious contributors to Herbaria at Home (e.g. those who have digitized more than 100 records) are invited to apply for access to the Big d/b to help them with their work.

>> Go to the Big Database

 

Taxonomy Database

Visit the BSBI’s taxonomy database, which gives plant names and their synonyms, chromosome numbers and details of much literature relating to british plants.

>> Go to the ‘Leicester’ Database

 

 

Applications

The aim of the Science & Research Committee is to promote the role of the society in scientific research, and to act as a forum for the academics in the membership.

We award small grants for research. Studies must be on the British or Irish flora, and should aim to produce results worthy of publication. For educational grants, see Training & Education.

Approximately eight grants per year will be awarded, typically around £500 each (max. £1000). There is one closing date per year (6th Feb).

The 2011 round is now closed. If you have applied and want to find out how your application is progressing, please email Alex Lockton.

Recent and current projects include...

> The distribution and origins of Carex salina (Saltmarsh sedge) in mainland Britain.

> The plant communities of disused railway ballast in Britain.

> Distribution and ecology of Fumaria purpurea in Orkney.

> Identification of Urtica galeopsifolia.

> Creating a database of Sorbus species for the forthcoming Handbook.

> Taxonomic status and ecology of Cochlearia scotica.

> BSBI Callitriche Handbook.

> Distribution and ecology of Irish Lady’s-tresses, Spiranthes romanzoffiana.

 

Applying for grants

Topics that can be funded are:

  • Floristic and distributional surveys (e.g. what grows where)
  • Taxonomy, systematics and evolution
  • History of botany in the British Isles
  • Population biology
  • Ecological genetics
  • Conservation biology
  • Ecology, including autecological, physiological and phenological studies
  • Plant/animal interactions, including plant biochemistry.

    • Activities eligible for funding include: travel and subsistence for field-work, visits to herbaria, botanic gardens and other scientific institutions; specimen preparation; scientific equipment, consumables and laboratory services; purchase of hardware and software for data handling; publication costs (preparing camera-ready copy, preparation of illustrations, printing).

    Activities not eligible for funding include: attendance at conferences/scientific meetings; direct contributions to student grants/salaries.

    Tips on preparing an application

    All applications should be set in the context of a research question, viz. a clear statement of what the problem is and how the applicant plans to tackle it.

  • Describe the background to the study.
  • Clearly state the problem or reason for the study.
  • Describe what you are going to do, giving an idea of the size of the job where relevant (e.g. sample sizes).
  • If not already obvious, describe the significance and outputs of the work, i.e. what new things we will learn from the study, or what the benefits to the botanical community will be.
  • Provide a budget showing exactly what you want to use the funding for.

    • …. and all on one side of A4!

    If this approach is not followed, the resulting application may suffer from lack of focus or contain ambiguities or omissions which will lower its chances of getting funding.

    Science & Research Committee

    • Chairman: Professor Mick Crawley
    • Secretary: Alex Lockton
    • Members: Michael Braithwaite, Martin Godfrey, Quentin Groom, Pete Hollingsworth, David Pearman, Fred Rumsey, Ian Taylor, Kevin Walker & Sarah Whild.