Columns in the master list

Spreadsheet column

Explanation

taxon group

the list is sorted by taxonomic group, with mammals at the top  followed by birds and ending with non vascular plants.  These taxonomic groups have been derived from the National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary groupings. Please note that these are currently being reviewed and must be treated as provisional.

taxon_group_sort_order

the codes here have no significance other than to provide a means of sorting lists of species taxonomically. These may eventually be replaced by standard sort order codes from the NBN Species Dictionary.

Taxon

This is the name of the taxon as is recorded within the preferred checklist identified on the NBN species dictionary. It is not necessarily the same as the name used on the published source (ie a red data book or legislative annex).

designated_name

this is the name used on the published source. It is only shown where it is different to the "taxon" column

Common name

Common name where available. These may be replaced by preferred common names as recorded on the NBN Species Dictionary.

Constituent list

The "designations" on the list have been grouped into various categories.

Constituent list sort order

This enables the list to be sorted by constituent list. The order is as follows

Designation

this is the full title of the designation. For Legislative lists this is usually the name of the piece of legislation and the appropriate section/annex. For species listed on Red Data Books the category is shown eg "vulnerable" or "data deficient".

Designation abbreviation

This can be used where space is limited on a report. It is intended to be used in conjunction with "reporting category".

Designation_sort_order

this is used to control the order in which the various different types of designation are listed. For example it ensures that "critically endangered" species are listed before the "endangered" species and that the "nationally rare" species are reported before the "nationally scarce" species.

IUCN_criteria_version

for Red data book listings this indicates whether the version of the IUCN criteria are pre 1994, 1994 or 2001

Criteria description

These have only been completed for bird species listed on "Population status of birds in the UK - Birds of conservation concern 2002-2007"

Source

this indicates the source of the "designation" ie where the "designation" has been published.

source description

a further description of the source

year

this is the year in which the designation was made

comments

comments on the provenance of the species and any constraints that apply to the designation.

designation descriptions

explanation of what the designation means

Date collated on designations list

date on which this information was added to the "designation" database

taxonversionkey

the code for the taxon as recorded on the relevent preferred checklist on the NBN dictionary.