Introduction to iSpot Bayesian keys

We have produced a number of interactive keys to help you with identification. For southern African keys click here

The iSpot Bayesian keys are a novel form of key that may be different from other keys that you have encountered.

Unlike a traditional branching key, you don't have to answer questions in a fixed order. Simply describe your specimen using as many characters as you can, and the computer will sort through the list of species it knows about and suggest which is most likely. When a species is starred, you have a good match - check the description to confirm your identification. Our keys use probabilities: simply, the more evidence you can provide, the more definite your identification will be.

For more information, read our help page on using iSpot Bayesian keys.

If you would like to help with a key to one of our groups or families, please contact us for more information.

If you would like to see examples of UK keys, follow this link to use our UK web keys.

New keys for mobiles: We now also have the same keys for use on a mobile phone or other small screen device. In your mobile web browser, click or enter this link to use the mobile keys:
http://www.ispot.org.uk/mobilekeys/
Please let us know what you think!

There are also some links to keys on his site in the Groups Forums

UK Feedback

We are interested in your feedback to help us improve our keys. You can do this in two ways:

There are also (non-Bayesian) keys for s Afr plants at http://ispot.org.za/Plant%20keys. Look in the forums for any others keys to other groups.

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