Hello and welcome to this video tutorial on how to use Bing maps to help you complete the Biodiversity Index. This video will demonstrate how to measure, characterise and record a habitat area. You will need to sign up to use the tool. Just fill in the details and sign up! You will have to enter an email address and create a password. To begin click on "Getting Started" This window has a link to some detailed instructions that you should read before progressing. Together with this video the instructions will give you a good idea of what to do. To get started you will need to print out the Habitat Survey Form. On the Biodiversity Index homepage you need to click on the “Habitat Survey Form” button. This opens a pdf version of the survey form that you will be using after the mapping and surveying the habitats. Here you will find 21 separate habitats described. These are the habitats that you will be measuring on the Bing map of your site. Here you will find 21 separate habitats described. These are the habitats that you will be measuring on the Bing map of your site. So take some time to get to know them. It is unlikely that your site will have all the habitats, but some categories such as Short Grass Areas may occur all over your site. The ID is used to number each habitat as it is surveyed. This is used to number each area mapped in Bing maps. The Area Size is where you enter the data for each area once measured on Bing maps. The Vegetation Structures and Number of Leaf Shapes Present will be recorded during the survey of each habitat. You will need to print out the survey form and a colour map from Bing maps to do the survey. To get started close the survey form (print out a copy before you do though). On the report creation page click on "Getting started". Now Click on the "Bing Maps" tab. Now I’m going to show you how to measure habitat areas on Bing Maps. If you do not have a Microsoft account you will need to create one to use the My Places feature. The usual email and password creation is required to get an account. Once created you can simply sign in. Find your location by manually grabbing the map (hold left mouse button) Then zoom in either using the mouse wheel, + icon or postcode/place name. The road map view might be most useful to priint out to take with you during your survey. Just find the right magnification and click print. The best view for measuring habitats is the Aerial view found under the Birds Eye view tab. Click on the "My places" tab to reveal the editor window. Now you need to create a new list, add an appropriate title and decide how public you want it to be. Create a new list by clicking the tab. Give your project a title. Add any notes you desire. Now click on save and you’re all set to begin measuring the habitats. You will of course have to be reasonably familiar with your site to correctly identify the habitats. Which is why you must get outside with the survey sheet before measuing the habitats. So now I’m going to measure a section of Park Grass. Click on the “Mark an area on the map icon” and click around the area, double clicking to complete it. Now add the title and save. Now I’m going to measure a section of Group of Trees. Now I’m going to measure a section of Group of Trees. Click on the “Mark an area on the map icon”and click around the area, double clicking to complete it. Now add the title and save. Your progress is saved as you complete the mapping so you are able to come back to it whenever you have the time. Your progress is saved as you complete the mapping so you are able to come back to it whenever you have the time. Here is a completed list I am going to use to illustrate how to retrieve the results most effectively. Here is a completed list I am going to use to illustrate how to retrieve the results most effectively. When you have finished you can print the results by selecting the print button. You should now have a print out with each habitat area numerically ordered, titled and marked on the map. Now transfer this data to your survey sheet. The area for each habitat is given in feet, enter it on the sheet as such, the tool wil convert it. To create a report, give it a name and click "Create". To add your first habitat click on the plus sign. Enter the habitat and the sample number. Then enter the values you have from the survey sheets into the Vegetation Structures section. Then enter the Vegetation Forms you recorded for that habitat. Now save the area. At any point you have the option to edit or delete a Habitat Area. Continue adding habitats until you have finished your site. Continue adding habitats until you have finished your site. Once you have finished have a look at your results. Scroll across to view the percentage of habitats on your site. Click on the red i for more detail and useful links providing information on how to manage the habitat. The final section gives you the Index score and a chart showing all the habitat percentages. All the information from your report is compiled in a user friendly report that can saved and printed as a pdf. The pdf details all the information relating to your site and provides links to sources of useful habitat management information. Thankyou for taking the time to watch this video tutorial. Now get out there and have a go!