Spider Recording Scheme Objectives

The recording scheme places enormous importance on the scientific integrity of the data in the scheme.

  1. To define the geographical distribution at 10 at 10 km resolution of each species of spider found in Britain, where possible recording distribution information at 1 x 1 km, 100m x 100m, or for rare species, even 10 at 10 m. Please do not record to 8 figure (10m square) or 10 figure (1m square) accuracy unless you are recording using traps in a fixed location or for exceptionally rare and static species - grid references should always be enclosing, i.e. they define the grid square within which the species was found, and there is little point in recording mobile species to 1m square accuracy when they will move within the habitat area.
  2. To provide opportunities to extend our knowledge of the biology of spiders, with special consideration of their habitats, seasonal occurrence and population dynamics, e.g. by recording distributions afresh on a regular basis so as to track changing distributions over time, and collect and collate records with full dates, numbers of males and females and structured habitat details to allow increased understanding of the adult activity periods and life-cycles of British spiders.
  3. To establish a profile of the ecological characteristics of each British spider species.
  4. To establish a data bank which will form a base line against which future ecological work can be compared, and provide quantified information on spider ecology which will aid future research and stimulate new studies.
  5. To identify the "hot-spots" of biodiversity of spiders in the British landscape.
  6. To identify those habitats where species richness and/or presence of notable species makes them of special conservation interest, and how well these are represented in protected areas.
  7. To record the spider fauna of selected sites of particular concern to nature conservation, and other areas whose habitat potential might be threatened. From time to time the Scheme and the British Arachnological Society organise surveys of specific sites, and Area Organisers should be the first point of contact for their Vice Counties.
  8. To lead in the assessment of species' rarity and conservation status for spiders in Britain.