Abstract:
There is a critical need to share and manage biodiversity data for
conservation purposes. A comprehensive inventory of biodiversity data
on a location together with information on subjects such as habitat use,
conservation status, availability of specimens and previous research can
benefit both researchers and decision makers. The National Wildlife
Training Center (NWTC) is located in the dry zone, close to Minneriya–
Giritale Nature Reserve Block II. It is surrounded by well grown Tropical
dry mixed forests and harbors a diverse array of fauna and flora including
many endemics and nationally threatened species. The center provides
compulsory training to staff of the Department of Wildlife Conservation
and has facilities for researchers. It is currently being developed to
become an International Training School. Therefore, there is a great
necessity to have well documented information on the biodiversity of the
locality that can be accessed by visitors, trainees and researchers. In
addition an advance form of a database can assist to monitor the use of the
specimen collection at the museum and help future development of the
site that might affect some of the faunal habitats. Thus this project aims to
provide knowledge sharing and management solutions using Information
and Communication Technology. The objectives of the study are to
provide knowledge sharing and management solutions for using Girithale
National Training Center as a model, assist maintaining the specimen
collection, provide remote access to users, to reduce barrier between
researches and application, to simplify the data searching process and to
promote data driven decision making.
The project used both primary and secondary data. A biodiversity survey
was conducted around the training center in the sanctuary since no previous intensive study on the site has been carried out. The field data as
well records from the specimen collection was used as the primary source
for project. The research reports at the center were used as secondary
sources. The data sharing platform constructed is a web site developed
using PHP and the Data base using MySQL. Maps were prepared using
digital image processing, use queries, search engine or artificial
intelligence agent to retrieve data. In addition a mobile web page was also
created. The NWTC could host this web site as a knowledge sharing
center.
This system provides a knowledge sharing and management system that
will help to protect rare and threaten habitats of Girithale and also will
provide easy access to different studies conducted. Thus it finally will
reduce the gap between conservationists, researchers, decision makers and
public and will also facilitate more informed decision making and
efficient use of resources.
