Dorset Biodiversity Information System
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- Frequently asked questions
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What is DBIS?
The Dorset Biodiversity Information System has been established by the Dorset
Environmental Records Centre as a means to provide local authorities with relevant
information on conservation sites and species in Dorset.
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What does DBIS include?
DERC have established agreements with individual local authorities to supply GIS
datasets including: Sites of Nature Conservation Interest; Local Nature Reserves;
Regionally Important Geological Sites; Conservation Verges; and a wildlife layer
which indicates the presence of rare and protected species. These can be used alongside
layers for Sites of Special Scientific Interest and international site boundaries.
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What do I do if I find a rare or protected species on a development site?
Use the info tool to see the data on that record. The data will tell you when to
consult a statutory agency i.e. Natural England (Natural England) or the
Environment
Agency. It may also suggest who to contact for advice (e.g.Dorset Wildlife Trust).
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If there is no statutory consultee or advisory contact what do I do?
There is not a consultee or advisory contact for every record at present. This is a new system which will continue to develop. There are plans to produce advice notes for all the taxon groups but it will take time to put this into place. In the meantime if you want more information about a record,
contact DERC with the record number.
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There is a species record on a development site but the location details do not match. What do I do?
The GIS data set has been generated from a database which stores most records as 6
figure grid references. This means that most records are accurate within 100m but the
symbol may not be in exactly the right place. If there is a discrepancy between the
information in the location field (e.g. “Manor Crescent”) and the position of the
symbol (e.g. located on Manor Road) the location information is probably more accurate.
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How do I see the Advice Notes?
Written advice notes have been developed for some groups of protected species. Use
the hot-link tool to click on the symbol for a record and it will take you immediately
to the start of the appropriate advice note.
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Can I give information about a site to a developer or his/her consultant?
Yes, but we would ask you to recommend that they
contact DERC for a standard data
search for the development site and the buffer zone. Many developers and environmental
consultants already contact DERC directly before submitting an application. We have
developed a package which provides more detailed species and site information, together
with explanations of the codes used and recommendations on which organisations to contact
for further advice.
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How do I find a suitable consultant?
Dorset Biodiversity Officer Group (DBOG) have produced a list of environmental
consultants, who have contacted either Natural England or the Natural Environment
Team at Dorset County Council, indicating that they would like to be included on
this list. This list can be viewed at:
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Dorset Environmental Records Centre