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Malta Rocky Beaches





Species Key
Two species keys, one for algae and one for plants, were created as part of this study.
These were created using Lucid software. Lucid allows for multi-access keys to be created by means of the Lucid builder and viewed by installing the Lucid Player.
Multi-access keys are based on scoring of characteristics allowing for species identification (Refer to 'Identifying Algae' and 'Identifying Plants' for more information). This data has been compiled for coastal plants and algae and is presented in PDF format which can be accessed through the tabs below.
Algae
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Plants
How to Use a Multi-Access Key
The multi-access key is a simple yet effective way of identifying species. Below are a number of steps supported by screen shots of the key interface to help you in manipulating the key.

Step 1: Getting Started
One first has to select the appropriate key icon for plant or alga identification. This will start the key immediately.
The interface is a simple one which is divided into four sections; 'Features Available' (Top left), 'Features chosen' (Bottom left), 'Entities Remaining' (Top right) and 'Entitities Discarded' (Bottom right).
Step 2: Selecting Features
The interface is self-explanatory. A number of features are presented in 'Features Available'. Each feature has a number of options which become visible as a dropdown menu when a feature is selected. Zero/one/more than one option may be selected for a species.
Selecting features will immediately discard any species which do not fit the chosen criteria as is seen in 'Entities Discarded'. The entities which fit the criteria are stored in 'Entities Remaining'.

Step 3: Further Identification
Other features can be selected to further identify the remaiing species. This is done by selecting the following feature, or any other feature, and choosing the respective characteristic of the species being investigated. All selected data is stored in 'Features Chosen'.

Step 4: Check your Answer
Once there are no more entities remaining and one species has been identified, you can click on the image to enlarge it and compare it to your sample. Once you're done, compare your answer to the species catalogue presented in the main menu as 'Catalogue'.

Key for Identification of Plants
Key for Identification of Algae
Remember!
You need to install Lucid player first!
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