Protecting the Bunce Legacy: Lessons Learned From Safeguarding Long-term Ecological Survey Datasets in Great Britain
Claire M Wood1, Marc J Metzger2, Robert G H Bunce3,4
1UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Library Avenue, Lancaster, UK. clamw@ceh.ac.uk.
Environmental Management
|April 25, 2025
Summary
Safeguarding Professor Bunce's long-term ecological surveys strengthens biodiversity understanding. A five-step approach ensures these valuable historical datasets are accessible for future ecological restoration and research.
Area of Science:
- Ecological monitoring and biodiversity research.
- Environmental data management and preservation.
Background:
- Long-term ecological survey data is crucial for understanding biodiversity change and informing restoration efforts.
- Many historical ecological datasets, including the Great Britain Countryside Surveys, are at risk of loss.
- Professor Robert Bunce's legacy includes extensive strategic ecological surveys initiated in the 1970s.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a structured five-step approach for safeguarding long-term ecological survey data.
- To ensure the accessibility and usability of historical ecological datasets for current and future research.
- To provide a model for other data rescue initiatives and new ecological monitoring projects.
Main Methods:
- A decade of work focused on protecting the Bunce surveys.
- Implementation of a five-step process: identifying resources, processing datasets, assembling metadata, producing outputs, and publishing.
- Engagement with data originators and identification of potential data users.
Main Results:
- The Bunce surveys and related ecological datasets (1969-mid 1990s) have been successfully protected and made accessible.
- A structured five-step approach has been developed, applicable to other data safeguarding initiatives.
- Valuable lessons learned include the importance of resourcing, recognizing data rescue, engaging originators, and understanding users.
Conclusions:
- Historical ecological data is increasingly appreciated for its relevance to biodiversity and ecological restoration.
- Adequate resourcing and recognition are vital for successful data rescue activities.
- The protected Bunce legacy data is now available for repeat surveys and further analysis, strengthening ecological understanding.
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