How to get ready for the new BARS system

Aims

Ensure that all of London's BARS data is compatible with the new BARS system (currently in development)

Provide up-to-date, high quality reports on biodiversity action in London, prioritising action that has happened on the ground

Summarise progress on each HAP/SAP

What you need to do

OVERVIEW REPORTS

For each HAP and SAP, complete a Plan Overview Report to give a summary of overall achievements, and any constraints that have limited progress.

AMEND and REPORT on ACTIONS

Amend existing actions, and set up any new actions, to be compatible with the new BARS system.

For each action, go to the following tabs and make the necessary changes:

Details tab

Action category fields - select action categories that will translate to the new BARS system. This spreadsheet gives details of which categories to use.

Action species & habitats tab

Only ONE species or ONE habitat should be selected - select the most relevant one and delete any others that are listed.

Action locations tab

Add a specific location e.g. a SINC or other Open Space, a compartment in a SINC or other Open Space, or a GLA habitat survey parcel. It will not be possible to do this for all actions (e.g. policy, guidance, etc) but should be done easily for habitat creation, enhancement etc

Many, but not all, London's SINCs are already listed on the BARS system under the London Biodiversity Partnership - search for them when adding a new local location to an action. Either search for the site name by keyword, or search by administrative area Greater London - not borough.

You will have to set up a new location if it is not listed, or if you want to be more specific about where the action happens (e.g. for large SINCs it may be more appropriate to specify a compartment or survey parcel).

All locations must have a grid reference. Grid references will be added to those already listed by the London Biodiversity Partnership, but if you are setting up your own location you must add a grid reference.

BARS has produced guidance on how to add grid references to locations and add locations to actions.

Progress report tab

Add a brief written progress report with details of what has been achieved. If no progress has been made, say so - and why.

Tick the appropriate tickbox specifying the location where the action was carried out - make sure you do this for existing reports as well as any new ones.

Action goals tab

Make sure that all action goals have a specific location (not just 'Greater London' or a borough - see point 3 above).

Do not set up any new User-defined action goals - it is not clear how the new BARS system will deal with these. But do leave existing ones on the system and report progress where appropriate.

Do add and report progress on other action goals (i.e for habitats: maintain extent, achieve condition, restoration, creation; for species: range, population size).

Status tab

Add a status update.

Finally, delete or archive any actions that are no longer relevant.

More Help

View the BARS Best Practice Guide - Reporting in BARS for help with the type of information that should be included in each level of report.

Help guides for data input on the BARS website