# Appendix M: How to calculate a biodiversity credit by hand Biodiversity credits *can* be calculated by hand, but there is a high probability of error from data overlapping in space and time. Here are simple instructions for how to do this using the free software Google Earth Engine Pro with sample videos. #### **1) Get a KML for your crediting area** A simple .kml polygon of the [crediting area](/project-description/project-boundaries/spatial-limits-of-the-bcp.md) in your BCP site can be generated on Google Earth Engine software using geocoordinates. {% embed url="" %} #### 2) Create a layer for your indicator-species observation Create a shape for your [indicator species observation](/project-description/implementation-plan/indicator-species-observations.md) where the area of the circle equates to the home range of the species in the observation. Tip: For manual calculations, select observations that do not overlap in time as time is the most difficult summation by hand. {% embed url="" %} **3) Calculate the area credited** Draw a polygon by hand that gives you the intersection of the crediting area and the observation area. The number of hectares in the area, multiplied by the indicator-species integrity score will be the number of your biodiversity credits. {% embed url="" %} **4) Overlapping observations** As described in the [Calculations](/calculation/integrity-calculations.md) section, overlapping observations with the same date, will have a merged crediting area. Overlapping observations with different integrity scores should achieve the highest integrity score in the merged area. {% embed url="" %} --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://isbm.savimbo.com/appendices/appendix-m-how-to-calculate-a-biodiversity-credit-by-hand.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.