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Database Title

10.8 Bio-Web Threatened Plants
Keywords
Type1.
Type 11.		 Flora, threatened plants, species status, species location
population status, population location.
Abstract

This is part of BioWeb which is the Department of Conservation's database of natural and historic heritage that is of importance to the Department. It uses the same basic template with some additional features as for other components in BioWeb.

Initially this component is focusing on nationally threatened species of terrestrial vascular and nonvascular plants and freshwater vascular plants. At a later date it is intended that the database will address regionally threatened species.

There have been delays in getting some groups into the database because of ongoing taxonomic work.

As at late 2001 DoC conservancies were in the process on converting their threatened plant databases into BioWeb. Data from various herbaria will then be added.

Attribute data for threatened species is being added, beginning with the highest priority (most threatened) species. The Landcare Research New Zealand Plant Names Database is the taxonomic authority for BioWeb.
Geographical Coverage New Zealand
Dataset start date. 2001
Dataset end date. Current
Status/currency. In progress
Update frequency. New entries continually added by authorised staff.
Maintenance. There is a data administrator to maintain data quality.

 

Technical Evaluation

  
Parameters- what is measured The following parameters are recorded for each species:
  • scientific and other names
  • reliability of scientific name
  • type locality
  • herbarium voucher
  • biostatus category
  • IUCN and NZ threat status
  • growth form classification
  • distinguishing features
  • description
  • distribution
  • age of reproduction
  • flowering time
  • pollinators
  • dispersal agents
  • cultural significance
  • propagation
  • management
Parameters- what is calculated
  • List of nationally threatened flora
  • List of nationally and regionally threatened flora
  • List of nationally threatened flora by region, conservancy, area
  • List of nationally and regionally threatened flora by conservancy/area
  • List of nationally and regionally threatened flora by defined site name/management units/GIS
  • List and numbers of nationally threatened flora by threatened status
  • List of nationally threatened flora by threat agent/location/region/conservancy/area
  • List of nationally threatened populations by main threat agent/potential management action/region/conservancy/area
Methods used to measure parameters A protocol (Penny, 1999) defines the process for adding species records, species observations records, translocation records. This protocol includes provisions for giving individual plants tag identification numbers.
Secondary sources of data Department of Conservation former databases.
Scale of use. GIS maps can be prepared at 1:50 000 scale or greater.
Number of records N/A
GIS compatibility. Yes
Available formats for users. Electronic database. Adhoc reports can be prepared using a variety of data (different levels of information will be available for different types of users). GIS maps.
Access constraints. Currently this is a DOC database. It will be available to other users in future under specific arrangements. Security design allows parts of the database (e.g. fields, tables, observations etc) to be hidden from certain types of users.
Measurement Accuracy To be completed by database manager.
Completenss of dataset To be completed by database manager.
Positional accuracy To be completed by database manager.
Database steward Department of Conservation
Database custodian Department of Conservation
Database custodian contact person Andrew Townsend
Database custodian Contact
Address

Phone
Fax
Email		 Science Information and Technical Services
P.O. Box 10 420
Wellington.
+64 4 471 0726
+64 4 471 3279
atownsend@doc.govt.nz
References de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A. 1998. Revising rarity: a potential perspective on the meanings of rarity and the classification of New Zealand's uncommon plants. Pp 145 - 160. In Ecosystems, Entomology and Plants. Royal Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Series No 48

Penny, P. 1999. National threatened plants database-user requirements. Department of Conservation. (Version 1: 5/8/99)
Date metadata record prepared. October 1999. Updated December 2001
Author of metadata record. Victoria Froude

 

Management Evaluation

  
Original purpose. To assist with the effective management of threatened native plants.
Relationships with classification systems. Threat status will be determined using the NZ Threatened Species Classification and possibly the IUCN Threatened Species Classification.
Relationships with other databases This database will replace, and where possible incorporate, records from the threatened plant databases managed by Landcare Research and Department of Conservation conservancies as well as the DOC former Biosite database.

Uses the New Zealand Plants Name Database.
Known relationships with proposed EPIP indicators. N/A
Who uses this database? The main users of the database are Department of Conservation staff. It is also likely that the database will be used by other organisations with an interest in threatened plants.
Public awareness of the database Little
Database strengths.
  • There has been a thorough analysis of the Department's requirements during the database design phase.
  • The database will allow the Department's staff to access up-to-date information on the identification and location of threatened plant taxa.
  • It is intended that the database will be comprehensive.
  • The database uses the NZ Plant Names Database as its taxonomic authority.
Database limitations. There are likely to be some problems associated with using pre 2000 threatened plants data, because this data will not have the same fields as the new database. The data entry requirements for repeat observations may be too onerous for some. The database intends to address this by the judicious use of mandatory and optional fields.

 

What are the Current and Emerging Uses of the Database for:

  
Assisting with determining historic state/baseline. It is intended that the database will include early records such as herbarium records. This information will be used for attempts to relocate taxa in particular locations and for identifying locations for translocations.
Assisting with determining current state/baseline. It will identify current status of individual plant taxa.
Assisting with modeling possible future outcomes. In future it may be possible to identify trends over time that may assist in predicting possible future outcomes for selected species.
Risk assessment. The database identifies taxa at risk. It may identify taxa or populations that have not been located/searched for within a specified period of time.
Monitoring site selection and sample design. Each individual in some populations will be tagged so that they can be monitored over time.
Aggregating and reporting data locally, regionally or nationally. This will be possible (see parameters calculated).