1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Systemic Approach Cradle to grave approach: –Species data management –Spatial data management –Analysis –Presentation –Courseware management (Social Constructionist Pedagogy) Emphasis on cost-effectiveness. Collaboration.

5. 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/

6. 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/

7. 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/

8. Statistical Analysis Highly Flexible Script-based Good for Modeling applications Used to predict species exists Predict species distribution change with Climate Change

9. 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

10. 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)