1 Topic by charliebarnes

  • charliebarnes
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  • From: Greater Lincolnshire
  • Registered: 07-09-2008
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Topic: ufn_getdesignations

Following on from such threads as http://forums.nbn.org.uk/viewtopic.php?id=4195 , I've started to look into updating our reports to only pull out "up to date" designations.

However I've hit a small snag - I forgot I was using the very handy ufn_getdesignations function get the designation information, and this function doesn't take into account the date_to of a designation.

So, can we have an additional parameter/flag for ufn_getdesignations that specifies all or up-to-date (and maybe historic?) designations?

Charlie Barnes
Information Officer
Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership

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2 Reply by MikeWeideli

  • MikeWeideli
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Re: ufn_getdesignations

The stored procedure which populates table Index_taxon_taxon designation should be ignoring any designations where the date_to is not null. It is this table  which ufn_getdesignations uses to get the designations so in theory the function shouldn't return any designations which are not current. If you have noticed something where this doesn't appear to be the case  can you let us know.

Mike Weideli

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3 Reply by charliebarnes

  • charliebarnes
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Re: ufn_getdesignations

Thanks Mike - as always in over my head! - I think then there must be something amiss. ufn_getdesignations is telling me Orthotrichum striatum is RLGB.EX (as is the NBN Gateway: http://data.nbn.org.uk/speciesInfo/taxo … 0000036700 - it still thinks it's a current designation, but see thread linked to previously and Chris' explanation)

The TLI KEY is NHMSYS0000308034

Good to know re: the stored procedure - saves me some work!!

Charlie Barnes
Information Officer
Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership

charliebarnes's Website

4 Reply by MikeWeideli

  • MikeWeideli
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Re: ufn_getdesignations

This looks like a dictionary error to me.  Orthotrichum striatum, specifically  under this name (TLI key NHMSYS0020523371)  is in table taxon_designation for  RedList_GB_post2001-EX with no date to. Rather than being in the processing it looks to me more like whoever prepared the list has converted   O.shawii to O.striatum.  This entry needs to be deleted or given an end date. Changing it to O.sahwii will not help.

Mike Weideli

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5 Reply by ChrisR

  • ChrisR
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Re: ufn_getdesignations

OK, I will check this out today and get back to Charlie in the 'Species Dictionary' part of the forum :)

Chris Raper, Manager of the UK Species Inventory, Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity,
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD.  (tel: 020 7942 5894)
also Tachinid Recording Scheme (http://tachinidae.org.uk/)