Helpful new BSBI video.

You may have seen BSBI distribution maps used on television last year, both on the "Wild Things" series on Channel 4 and on news programmes about Ash Die-back, when our maps were used to show where Ash is recorded across Britain and Ireland. 

First published in Atlas form, our maps are now available free on-line to all (BSBI member or non-member) via the BSBI web-site.These distribution maps show what plant grows where and how this has changed over time. Specialist users can register for higher levels of access to the database, but for the rest of us, viewing BSBI maps is quick, easy and free, and you don't have to register or log-in. And a helpful new short video has just been launched to help you get even more out of BSBI maps. 

Just go to the Distribution Database, click on maps and type in the name of a plant. You have to use the scientific name (sorry!) and then press search to see that plant's national distribution. Then follow the guidance in the new video, which shows how quick and easy it is to make a distribution map of any plant species growing locally to you or in any other vice-county of Britain and Ireland. 

BSBI map showing spread of Danish scurvy-grass
Cochlearia danica along roadsides in Norfolk.

The video is called 'How to make a customised map' and was made by Quentin Groom, who hopes to make more such training videos on other aspects of the BSBI Distribution Database. 

BSBI members try to revisit all the "squares" on the map once in every decade, so we can record which plants we see and map any changes. This is shown on the maps by differently coloured squares for each Date Class, the first of which is pre-1930. You can already see some of the records that have come in since 2010 (shown in black).

You are welcome to use and print BSBI maps for personal use or for teaching purposes, but please don't forget to credit BSBI and do run it past us first if you are thinking of using our maps for any other purpose. Media enquiries to me please, Louise Marsh at publicity@bsbi.org.uk