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Review Free and Open Source Software applications for biodiversity

This review explores the potential of free and open-source software applications for teaching spatial analysis and data management in biodiversity studies. The focus is on cost-effectiveness, collaboration, and mobile-compliant learning. The review covers tools for species data management, spatial data management, analysis, and presentation.

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Review Free and Open Source Software applications for biodiversity

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  1. Review Free and Open Source Software applications for biodiversity Richard Knight Dept. Biodiversity & Conservation Biology Digital Freedom Exposition 19-20th April 2007 rknight@uwc.ac.za

  2. Problem: • Most University's teach using commercial software due to significant vendor discounts. • While justified at advanced levels at introductory levels spatial analysis can be taught easy-to-use Open Source and Free-ware. • Data management is not taught.

  3. Introducing Geo-informatics • Biodiversity and Conservation Dept. are to introduce a taught MSc course. • Small funding, but good bursary support from Meraka Institute. • Will specifically focus on using Open Source and Free Software. • Preliminary approach.

  4. Systemic Approach • Cradle to grave approach: • Species data management • Spatial data management • Analysis • Presentation • Courseware management (Social Constructionist Pedagogy) • Emphasis on cost-effectiveness. • Collaboration.

  5. Mobile-compliant • Intention is to develop the course using: • Distance/eLearning with multimedia content using Java Applets (Sound, Animation and Transcripts) • Online self-evaluation (html) • Mobiles (collaboration with Stanford University) • Other African partners Universities (Mweka & Makerere http://duniamoja.stanford.edu/

  6. Data Management • Species records (Herbarium/Museum) • Accuracy and data cleaning • Setting up a web-enable Biodiversity data-base using Bauble (collections) • BCB Herbarium • Coraline Algae • Hermanus Herbarium • Local Museums http://bauble.belizebotanic.org/

  7. Spatial Management • Most common are ESRI products • Expensive • Licensing Problems • Continuous financial drain (Project funds) • Migrate to Diva • Multi-platform Windows, Java & Linux • Files compatible with ESRI products • Tutorials: e.g. Climate Change Modeling http://www.diva-gis.org/

  8. Statistical Analysis • Highly Flexible • Script-based • Good for Modeling applications • Used to predict species exists • Predict species distribution change with Climate Change

  9. PuttingTogether • Make a web-enable Biodiversity data base • select some species for distribution modelling • Predict the vulnerability to climate change • Document Methodology through Blog and Wiki pages • Chisimba (Blog & Wiki) • Publish as WebGIS

  10. Mobile Learning • Collaboration with Stanford University • Donation of Ericsson P990i • High compression (Impatica) • TESTING (Blog & Wiki) • Supply all content one off on the phone • Course managed (access and upload) using Mobile Blogging/Wiki (FISU)

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