99th ESA Annual Meeting (August 10 -- 15, 2014)

WK 28

Data Basin: Open-access to Spatial Data Tools, and Social Networks in Support of Landscape Conservation

A multi-disciplinary team of scientists, software engineers, and outreach staff at the Conservation Biology Institute launched an open-access, web-based spatial data platform called Data Basin (www.databasin.org) in 2010. Primarily built to support research and environmental resource planning, Data Basin provides the capability for  individuals and organizations to explore, create, interpret, and collaborate around their priority geographies and topics in ecology and and conservation. Geographic search, intersection analysis, visualization tools, privacy options, and highly-focused map-based analytical tools help address specific conservation topics.  In this workshop, we will show multiple ways to explore and download from a vast library of spatial datasets, upload datasets and web-services, collaborate in group spaces, and create custom maps showing distribution, status, trends, risks, threats, and factors relevant to priority wildlife, plants, cultural resources, and ecosystems.  We will focus workshop examples and exercises on datasets associate with dynamic global vegetation models over the conterminous US to simulate the impacts of nine climate futures including climate futures from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project.  We will also highlight customized Landscape Conservation Cooperative Conservation Planning Atlases powered by Data Basin being expanded to support science delivery and stakeholder engagement across the US.