Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo Amphibian Database

Concerns• Teachers

o Will the project meet education standards?

o What will the students get out of the project?

o How will the data be used?

o Will we be able to see/use all of the data in the classroom?

o Is this only for Nebraska amphibians?

• Herpetologistso How will participants be

trained?o How do we ensure data

quality?o How will the data be

easily accessed?o Who will have access to

the data?

Addressing Concerns• Quality assurance

o Extensive training for educators and participantso Vetting tools

• 2 “User Types”o Administrators are able to verify and edit datao Default users enter data only

• Data availabilityo All data is available to registered participants

• Allows educators to plan curriculum based on findings• Allows herpetologists to view crude species ranges and track the

spread of Chytrid fungus • Expansion

o With use of Google maps, Biofinity database allows us to easily expand to other states (Iowa and South Dakota in the immediate future)

Workflow• Includes:

• Presentation• Thorough protocol demonstration• Field practice

Citizen Scientist Training

• Record location and habitat description• Gather and record water quality data• Capture amphibians

• Identify specimen, photograph, and collect Chytrid swab sample

• Correctly label and store all samples

Data Collection

• First time users:• Sign up for a Google account and register as a

“Default” user in Omaha’s Zoo Amphibian Database

• Administrator approves access• Data entered

• Vetted by Zoo staff and/or herpetologists • Results of Chytrid samples recorded under

specific occurrences

Enter Data

The Databasehttp://biofinity.unl.edu/biofinity/HDZ/amphibian/create

Entering a new Amphibian

• Database allows for required and optional fields

Continued…

Browsing the Taxonomy

Searching Occurrences

Occurrence Details

Map Occurrences

Map Occurrences

Map Occurrences

Educator Feedback• User friendly• Like definition between

Users and Administratorso Data quality assurance

• Appreciate Google Map features• Would like additional search tools• Overall excitement about database

Project Future• Database will be presented to

herpetologists at the fall amphibian meeting hosted by Omaha’s Zoo

• Transition all participants towards using databaseo 145 occurrences currently

entered o Some data forms still

being sent to Zoo creating a small backlog

• Survey herpetologists and educators

• Create additional search tools