The on-line resource identifies hundreds of seeds using simple questions and answers. Each step is accompanied by magnified photographs to ensure accuracy and to act as a valuable learning resource.

'Typically there are one million buried seeds in every hectare of arable land,' said Gladys Wright of the Ecosystem Management and Biotechnology group at SCRI, who has overseen the development of the website. 'Around 150 plant species are commonly found in arable soil in the UK. The website will allow instant identification of species.' The Abertay Dundee students were invited by the SCRI to work on the Asis project. It was designed to meet the demand for ways to measure the changing rural environment and so aid habitat management and farming.

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