Survey results from FISC exams

These data are derived from tests for Field Identification Skills Certificates (FISCs) that have been running for eight years under the aegis of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. These certificates are intended to give the participants and potentially their future or current employers a guide to their skill at plant identification in the field. These day-long tests include a field test and it is from this field test that the data in this paper are derived.

These files contain 238 surveys from the FISCs conducted in Shropshire, UK. From 2007 to 2014 six sites were used,  Sweeney Fen (N 52° 49' 4", W 3° 4' 38"); Ballstone Quarry (N 52° 35' 35", W 2° 34' 35"); Windmill Hill (N 52° 36' 13", W 2° 33' 18"); Aston Locks off-line reserve (N 52° 49' 51", W 2° 59' 18"); The Old River Bed (N 52° 43' 40", W 2° 44' 47"), Shrewsbury and Blakeway Hollow (N 52° 35' 37", W 2° 34' 57"). The sites were chosen to fit the following criteria, which are consistent with the FISC protocols. They are around 2–3 hectares of accessible habitat, which are relatively safe in health and safety terms. They were selected for their habitat, such as unimproved grassland with some scrub areas, or short fen, or not too wet sedge swamp, or broad-leaved woodland. The area to be surveyed was made very clear to the participants – if a smaller area was used within a larger reserve it was fenced or taped off clearly.  It was made clear to participants whether or not hedges were to be surveyed.

The observations are separated into taxa that are accepted to be present; taxa that are unreasonable or known to be incorrect; ‘mythical’ species which don't exist and ‘cautious’ records, with just a generic name. Each column represents the survey of one surveyor.