Web-based access to ecological data, Assessing and inventorying possibilities to access, process and visualize ecological data by using web-based applications

Laboratory of Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing
  Education
  Research
  Publications
  Models
  News & Calendar
  News
  Calendar
  Archive
  News
  Calendar
  2011
  2010
  2009
  2008
  2007
  2006
  2005
  2012
  Staff
  Equipment
  Contact details
  Workshops

26 Mar 2009 10:30 - 26 Mar 2009 11:00
Unit: Laboratory of Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing
Location: Gaia 2
Organisation: Wageningen University

 By Sidney Gijzen
Abstract
Ecological data is collected to understand ecosystems and related phenomena on
several spatial scales. The gained knowledge is used to predict ecological processes,
which are used to write policies with the objective to maintain a predetermined quality
of biodiversity. The increased use of technological concepts, such as web 2.0 and
where the user has a larger focus, enables scientists to access and modify ecological
data at any place in the world. This research aims to improve access to ecological data
by researching the needs of the end-user regarding a web-based GIS application on
the aspects of data access, process and visualization. The end-user is defined as an
ecological researcher with an interest in vegetation. The focus of the current
applications, which are mainly used to access and visualize ecological data, is often on
the accomplishment of (a set of) specific tasks and most are lacking a social aspect. In
this process, an important role is played by metadata and standards, which are crucial
aspects in dealing with the large variety of formats, tools and data operations present in
this domain. Visualizing these data is increasingly done by open-source map viewers,
which allow the researcher to view, query and modify ecological data. A questionnaire
was designed to provide information on the current practice, the preferences regarding
a web-based application and an indication on the attitude towards technology in
general of the end-user. The questionnaire revealed two types of researchers within
the end-user definition. The first type is working on a spatial local to national scale and
a temporal annual scale, focused on a (number of) specific process. This type has a
moderate knowledge of GIS, while being relatively new to the field of Earth
Observation. They are primarily looking for easy access to and better overview of
ecological data. The second type is the more integrating scientist who is working with
larger amounts of data on a spatial regional to global and a temporal decade scale.
This type is more proficient both in the field of GIS and Earth Observation compared to
a researcher of the first type. The second type already approaches ecological research
from a more digital point of view and is mainly looking for an improvement in various
aspects concerning quality of data. Both types of researcher are sharing ecological
data and using fellow scientists and data portals as a data source or acquire data
themselves. These data is organized mainly on a project basis and described in a nonstandardized
metadata format. The processing of ecological data is done locally, while
for visualization purposes, web-based applications and resources are increasingly
used. The outcome of the Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model emphasized
the existence of the two types, which are clearly distinguished by the traits of optimism
and innovativeness. The first type is less optimistic and innovative, which indicates it
would make it more difficult to introduce new technologies. The outcome of the
questionnaire was used to determine user requirements, which functioned as the main
lead in designing a conceptual model for a web-based application. Due to the lack of
existence of a spatially enabled web-based application with a strong social oriented
focus, the proposed conceptual model is offering a holistic approach for carrying out
ecological research in a spatially enabled social environment. This enables the
researcher to discuss various aspects of their research. It addresses both the need for
an easy access to and a better overview of ecological data, organized on a project
basis, as well as possibilities to increase the various aspects concerning the quality of
ecological data.
Print this activity