Transcript Digital Freedom_19_april_2007_uwc_rknight

Review Free and Open Source
Software applications for
biodiversity
Richard Knight
Dept. Biodiversity & Conservation Biology
Digital Freedom Exposition 19-20th April 2007
[email protected]
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.
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.
Systemic Approach
• Cradle to grave approach:
– Species data management
– Spatial data management
– Analysis
– Presentation
– Courseware management (Social
Constructionist Pedagogy)
• Emphasis on cost-effectiveness.
• Collaboration.
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/
Data Management
• Species records (Herbarium/Museum)
– Accuracy and data cleaning
– Setting up a web-enable Biodiversity database using Bauble (collections)
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BCB Herbarium
Coraline Algae
Hermanus Herbarium
Local Museums
http://bauble.belizebotanic.org/
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/
Statistical Analysis
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Highly Flexible
Script-based
Good for Modeling applications
Used to predict species exists
Predict species distribution change with
Climate Change
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
Mobile Learning
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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)