Supporting Red List threat assessments with GeoCAT: geospatial conservation assessment tool

Abstract

GeoCAT is an open source, browser based tool that performs rapid geospatial analysis to ease the process of Red Listing taxa. Developed to utilise spatially referenced primary occurrence data, the analysis focuses on two aspects of the geographic range of a taxon: the extent of occurrence (EOO) and the area of occupancy (AOO). These metrics form part of the IUCN Red List categories and criteria and have often proved challenging to obtain in an accurate, consistent and repeatable way. Within a familiar Google Maps environment, GeoCAT users can quickly and easily combine data from multiple sources such as GBIF, Flickr and Scratchpads as well as user generated occurrence data. Analysis is done with the click of a button and is visualised instantly, providing an indication of the Red List threat rating, subject to meeting the full requirements of the criteria. Outputs including the results, data and parameters used for analysis are stored in a GeoCAT file that can be easily reloaded or shared with collaborators. GeoCAT is a first step toward automating the data handling process of Red List assessing and provides a valuable hub from which further developments and enhancements can be spawned.

Keywords: AJAX; Biodiversity; Conservation; Flickr; GBIF; Geospatial; Google maps; HTML5; IUCN; JSON; Mapping; Open Source; Red List.

Figure1.

GeoCAT workflow; Start a new project and add data to the map via the three options. Existing data may be derived from an output of an existing database or from an online source such as GBIF, Flickr or Scratchpads. Alternatively, click directly on the map to create markers to signify the occurrence of the taxon you wish to assess. The intuitive mapping interface allows interaction with the data to delete, move or hide points from analysis. The metadata window exposes the attributes of the occurrences e.g. date of collection, collector, location and provides a direct link to the raw data.
After editing the data the analysis can be enabled and the results are displayed as grpahics on the map and through a report window. The EOO/AOO values, preliminary IUCN categories and parameters are shown. AOO cell size can be adjusted. Statistics generated from the analysis and a basic map can be downloaded as a report. Occurrence data used in the analysis can be downloaded as a kml file for integration with Google Earth or as a CSV file. In addition, a single geocat. file encompassing all analysis results, parameters, map settings and occurrence data can be saved for later use, or to pass to collaborators for additional work.

Figure 2.

Illustration of a convex hull of a set of points. Imagine stretching a rubber band so that all points are inside it, then releasing it; when it becomes tight, the area enclosed is the convex hull.