OPAL Biodiversity Centre

Discover the fascinating plants and animals that live near you

The OPAL Biodiversity Centre hopes to inspire people of all ages to take an active interest in England's diverse range of wildlife.

Led by the Open University (OU), the centre is developing new resources to help identify and study nature. It is also coordinating the OPAL biodiversity survey, which begins in September 2010.

Bayesian keys

A range of Bayesian keys are being developed to make species identification easier, more reliable and more fun for new observers. These keys will also be made available on mobile phones.

What are Bayesian keys?
Instead of leading you through a set path of questions, Bayesian keys allow you to enter as much detail as you can into a computer program. The program then works out a list of possible matches and presents them in order of likelihood. Such keys are particularly helpful for beginners, as they allow for small and sometimes inevitable identification mistakes.

Neighbourhood Nature course

Take your interest in nature further by studying a Neighbourhood Nature course. Learn how to study, record and identify local wildlife.This new Open University course is available to all and credits can be used towards an Open University degree.

iSpot

iSpot is an online nature community where you can share your discoveries in the natural world.

iSpot Biodiversity Mentors
Regional mentors across England are helping local wildlife enthusiasts share their observations and knowledge on the iSpot website.

Policy and regulations
If you are interested in learning more about government policy on biodiversity then please visit:

• Defra

Contact us
j [dot] ansine [at] open [dot] ac [dot] uk