Data collection and validation
The National Biodiversity Data Centre has two main pieces of digital infrastructure:
Ireland’s Citizen Science Portal – Ireland’s Citizen Science Portal is a national portal that collects biodiversity data through a suite of dedicated online recording forms. Records can be submitted through the desktop/web version of the Citizen Science Portal or through the Biodiversity Data Capture App which is available for Android and iOS.
Please watch the below video for further information on Ireland’s Citizen Science Portal:
Biodiversity Maps – Biodiversity Maps is a national portal that compiles biodiversity data from multiple sources and makes it freely available online. It is used for displaying occurrence and distributional data for specific species or taxonomic groups.
Please watch the below video for further information on Biodiversity Maps:
Validation Process
Records submitted through Ireland’s Citizen Science Portal must go through validation before they are loaded to Biodiversity Maps. The general validation process can be seen in the model above. This involves cleaning, formatting and then checking of individual records. It’s only after the record has been approved through this validation process that it becomes ready for loading to Biodiversity Maps. Taxonomic groups with active validation are usually done on either a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. Updates to datasets are highlighted on Biodiversity Maps and are generally announced on our social media platforms. Validation is carried out by staff of the National Biodiversity Data Centre and a number of external species experts, who are subject to our Validator GDPR Agreement, which can be seen below. These validators generously give their time and expertise in order to check submitted records and on occasions some validators may need to contact a recorder for additional information regarding their submission. Please be assured you will only be contacted by a validator in relation to records you have submitted.