BioDEX

Project Info

Team Name


BioACT


Team Members


5 members with unpublished profiles.

Project Description


BioDEX is an interactive mobile application that stores flora and fauna data when the user collects and records each individual. The application interacts with previous collected data on species locations and attributes and will continue to update these data sources.

The BioDEX application is targeted at the younger generations to engage more with the environment and biodiversity within the ACT. The application will include a game like index collector, leaderboard, and achievements to make it more appealing to the younger generation. This app will provide an interactive map of the species locations, habitat types and will include a search option.

Data collected from the users can be used by the local authorities to identify where the species may be located, the habitat and if there is a new data or a change to the existing data or not. The local authorities then can produce new datasets or heatmaps for species information. The local authority will also be able to recognise what areas need conservation or environmental management based on the collected data.


#fauna #flora #biodiversity #application #interactivemap #act #game #youth #arcmap

Data Story


With the increase in phone reliance and capabilities, creating an application to engage the younger generations about the Australian environment is most suitable. The increase in environmental degradation through climate change and urbanization calls for action from the new generations. Without regulations around protected habitats and species or initiative to protect species, the significance of the environment would be irrelevant. However, through education about the native species of flora and fauna in the ACT, environmental conservation will be on the forefront of the younger generation.

Our team has used five different data sets which cover a range of identified protected and rare habitats and species of flora, fauna, and aquatic biodiversity. Analysis of each polygon for present species and the habitat types they were found in was the most suitable output for the BioDEX application. The following attributes are conceptualized to be extracted, and able to be identified and searched through BioDEX:
- Habitat class
- Species
- Rareness/protected or not
- Species presence
- Species abundance

In using these data attributes, the species can be correctly identified, and updated ecosystem types can be attained. The limited attributes collected also allows for easier collection of further data from any mobile device if there is GPS location and an accessible camera. The real time updates from users’ collections of species will conceptually auto-update the interactive map and local authority data sets of relevance.


Evidence of Work

Video

Team DataSets

Threatened Aquatic Habitat

Description of Use Used to identify threatened aquatic species and habitats in ACT which will be displayed and collected through the application's interactive map.

Data Set

Threatened Fauna Habitat

Description of Use Used to identify locations of threatened species and habitats which will be displayed on the application's interactive map.

Data Set

Protected and Rare Plants

Description of Use Used to identify locations of protected and rare plants to collect through the application's interactive map.

Data Set

Threatened Plants

Description of Use Used to identify locations of threatened species to be on the look for through the application's interactive map.

Data Set

Canberra Vegetation Structure Map

Description of Use Used to identify different habitat class types to connect with the species attributes and location found.

Data Set

Challenge Entries

Discovering our region’s environment and biodiversity

How might ACT data encourage children and young people to appreciate and engage with Canberra’s environment and biodiversity?

Go to Challenge | 11 teams have entered this challenge.