Why do we gather mollusc records? Nowadays, amongst many, motives may include curiosity, conservation, or research. Whatever the driving force, the data generated are important for supporting conservation biology and environmental management provided they are made available via an organisation which maintains a national recording scheme. The benefits of cumulative records from numerous sources are self-evident and result in a substantial database of biological information that can be made widely accessible. Molluscs are excellent environmental indicators and records submitted to the Conchological Society will enable it to:
- add to the knowledge of local and national distribution of molluscs
- allow production of species distribution maps and atlases
- compare historical records with recent data
- contribute to the knowledge of biodiversity of an area or site and participate in review processes
- assess the value or vulnerability of sites under planning applications
- prepare species lists for owners or managers of sites visited which help them formulate management plans
- share its records with local natural history societies, wildlife trusts, local records centres and National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Gateway)
The Society has two well estabished recording schemes for Great Britain and Ireland. One for marine and the other covering non-marine species. The Society welcomes records from anyone of any level of ability however your records will be most useful if you include full details of what you recorded.
The Society has a very open policy with regard to data, though it restricts access under some circumstances, for example where there is a genuine concern that release of the information could potentially lead to damage of the species concerned.