GATEWAY VERSION 3.4
Release date: 26/03/2010
The following new functionality and changes have now been added to the NBN Gateway and web services. Please refer any questions you have regarding the NBN Gateway to the NBN helpdesk (gateway@nbn.org.uk). NBN web service documentation can be found on the NBN website (http://www.nbn.org.uk/Guidebooks/Web-services-documentation.aspx) where information describing the new web service functionality will be added shortly.

NBN GATEWAY
Improve display of organisation logos
Logos for organisations are now displayed next to the organisation name under the list of datasets within the report pages of the NBN Gateway. These thumbnail logos have been generated from the existing organisation logos. If you wish to provide your own thumbnail logo to be the displayed on the Gateway then email the logo to data@nbn.org.uk. Thumbnail logos need to be 32 x 32px, preferably in png format.
Datasets ranked according to record number
The list of datasets in the report pages can now be ordered either alphabetically or by total number of records provided by each organisation
Acknowledge contributing organisations in datasets
Organisations contributing to datasets may now be acknowledged within the metadata of the dataset. Each organisation must already be registered on the NBN Gateway
Description associated with sites in report pages
Descriptions may be provided with individual sites when submitting spatial layers to the NBN Gateway. These descriptions will then be displayed at the top of the site report page on the NBN Gateway. Descriptions can either be provided, along with site IDs, either directly within the shape file or within additional text. For further information on how to provide descriptions for each of your sites please contact data@nbn.org.uk.
Alerting users to sensitive records
Sensitive records are restricted from public access and are only available to registered users and organisations through requesting better access to the particular dataset. It is important that, though hidden from the public, the presence of these records can be determined in the report pages so that better access can be requested if necessary. A message alerting users to the presence of relevant sensitive records is now available on the report pages along with a process of requesting better access.
Display habitat layers on interactive map
A number of habitat layers have been added to the interactive map allowing users to view species records over a range of habitats. These 12 habitat layers are listed in the Habitat Layers drop down menu to the right of the interactive map.
Update to Gateway Terms and Conditions
Changes have been made to the Gateway terms and Conditions. The latest version 1.3 can be viewed following links from the NBN Gateway. Please ensure you read them carefully as by using this online service you are agreeing to be bound by them.
Update to Data Provider Agreement
Changes to the NBN Gateway Data Provider Agreement have been made. These is now available for dataset administrators and is accessible via a link under the list of datasets you manage page. This agreement sets out the relationship between you, the Data Provider, and the NBN Trust. Please read the agreement carefully and contact NBN Trust if you have any questions or concerns
Improvements and fixes to NBN Gateway
A number of minor fixes have been implemented relating to the display of large sites, as well as a number of small text changes and corrections made

WEB SERVICES
Taxonomy web service: return taxa with no records on NBN Gateway
Taxonomy web service now returns taxonomic information for taxa even when that the taxon does not have any records for the on the NBN Gateway
New One Species Location web service
This new web service retrieves unique squares in which a single species’ records occurs. This service aggregates data from multiple data sets available for a species and provides data for the entire UK and Ireland.
New Polygon-in Polygon Habitat web services
Two new webservices to allow the discovery and query of the new habitat datasets have been created. The Habitat Discovery webservice allows the retrieval of a list of all queryable habitat layers. The Habitat Query webservice allows the determination of the shape and coverage of any habitats within a user defined polygon for the habitat layers.
Dataset Summary tag extended to return Access Privileges
For all NBN webservices the dataset summary portion of the response now includes the access privileges to the dataset(s)
Improvement to Dataset Summary List web service
This webservice now allows the application of a filter to the returned list of species datasets. For example a filter can be applied to list datasets to which have View Sensitive or View Attributes access.
Improvement to Species List web service
This web service now returns several species level attributes. These attributes are record count and temporal range. As long as the dataset has download access then these attributes are returned based on the requested filters.
GeographicalFilter element
Enumeration value for polygon parameter now includes EPSG-4326 and WGS-84 coordinate projection systems
SpeciesRecord element
SpeciesRecord element now returns attribute data for record provided access to attributes is given to dataset

Best wishes

Graham French
NBN Technical Liaison Officer