# dots on maps

[Richard Rabeler]

On Sat, 6 Nov 1999, Jim Croft wrote:

> > My problems with vouchers/non-vouchers are based partly on Neil's comments
> > about shot-guns but more importantly on several other thoughts.
>
> There is no problem using both vouchered data and unvouchered survey
> data, as long as it is totally unambiguous what you are dealing with.
> Used together they can paint a very powerful picture.  And each class of
> data can be used check, and improve the quality of the other.  I guess
> that is what maps are: a falsifiable hypothesis that needs testing (or
> ground-truthing). And that is what science is about, right?
>
I agree completely!  I have seen many examples where the basis of a record
(voucher, sight record, literature, etc.) is NOT clear.  When I come
across a map that shows a species I'm working on to be in an area from
which I've not seen any specimens, I DO want to know the basis for the
report.  Not knowing the data source is frustrating!

Rich Rabeler, MICH