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

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 data-

base using Bauble (collections)• 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

• 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

• 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)

Acknowledgements• Department of Science and Technology

• CSIR/Meraka Institute

• Sony Ericsson

• Stanford University – President and Provost, Dean of Research,

Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Woods Institute for the Environment and The Whitehead Foundation