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North Coast Explorer, Oregon
www.northcoastexplorer.info
Period:
Status: In Progress
 Institutes 
Institutes (5) Top 
  • Oregon State University; Institute for Natural Resources, more, partner
  • Oregon State University; Libraries, more, partner
  • University of Oregon; Department of Geography; InfoGraphics Lab, more, partner
  • Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, more, partner
  • Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, more, sponsor
Abstract
Atlas Purpose

  • Provide information about Oregon coastal watersheds and the species inhabiting them;
  • To facilitate access to data and information from a wide variety of sources to citizens and decisionmakers
    actively involved in natural resource use, policy and planning;
  • Provide a resource that meets user information needs, including:

    • Regional trends and current status of salmonids and other native fish species;
    • Regional trends and current status of land use and stream habitats;
    • Human caused barriers to fish passage and locations of currently inaccessible habitat;
    • Areas of greatest intrinsic potential for production of salmonids.


Distinguishing Features

  • Thematic atlas targeting a specific audience;
  • User controlled interface provides several levels of functionality and multiple map and font sizes;
  • Advanced searching of all site content;
  • Targets user needs: data, tools and expertise.

Target Audience

  • Researchers/Scientists;
  • NGOs;
  • Government/Public Bodies;
  • Consultancies;
  • Coastal/Environmental Managers;
  • Decision Makers;

Atlas Design and Usability

  • Focus:

    • Map content;
    • Textual content

  • Design:

    • Clear navigation and instruction;
    • Involved user feedback;
    • Access text from maps/maps from text;
    • Multiple point(s) of access to map/data;
    • Guided navigation;

  • Map Page:

    • View limited layers
    • View data independently/by theme;.
    • Separate legend & layer lists
    • Links to internal pages

  • Documentation:

    • Thematic text;
    • Metadata:

      • Database
      • Multiple format(s);

    • Illustrations, images and charts
    • Help page(s);
    • Tutorial;

  • Standards:

    • Metadata standards: FGDC;

  • Other:

    • Glossary;
    • User controlled interface;
    • Multi-media stories to inform users.


Technology Used

  • Mapping Software:

    • Proprietary: ArcIMS

  • Data Storage:

    • Locally: Database

  • Database Management System:

    • Yes: ASP.Net;

  • Other

    • Moxi Media Internet Mapping Framework front end (Java Server Page-based);
    • Used Open Archives Initiative Protocol for
      Metadata Harvesting.


Functionality/Tools Available

  • Level:

    • Basic
    • Moderate
    • Advanced

  • Search Capability:

    • Search for data
    • Search for thematic information

  • Other:

    • Advanced search tool;
    • Mapping tools:

      • Pre-made maps;
      • Mapping Tool Wizard for novice users;
      • Advanced Mapping Tool for those familiar with GIS mapping;

    • Special tools for:

      • Interactive statistical report generation to create custom tables and graphs;
      • Submission to the Explorer Digital Library via scholarsArchive@OSU;
      • Discussion Forum (used very little);
      • Administration.


  • Mapping Tools:

    • Zoom, recentre and full extent;
    • Identify features;
    • Layer list control;
    • View by theme;
    • Print/Export maps;
    • Measure line and areas;
    • Download geospatial data;


Data/Cartographic Information Included

  • Geographic Area: North Coast Basin, Oregon
  • Number of Datasets: 43
  • Topics:

    • Physical Environment;
    • Coastal Habitats;
    • Biology;
    • Management;
    • Human Impact;
    • Environmental Monitoring;
    • Infrastructure;
    • Natural Resources;
    • Other:

      • Intrinsic potential;
      • Fish passage barriers.



Data Issues

  • IPR/Cost:

    • Data use restrictions

  • Accessibility:

    • Poorly managed, inaccessible data;
    • Limited GIS-ready data;
    • Data duplication;
    • Distributed network not yet feasible;
    • Data retrieval speed;

  • Quality:

    • Variable/inconsistent data quality;
    • Inappropriate data scales;
    • Incomparable regional datasets;

  • Management:

    • Data management plan development;
    • Regularity of data updates;
    • Manual upload of data to atlas;


Other Challenges

  • Funding for site maintenance;
  • Designing simple, intuitive and informative web interface;
  • Content balance of science and information;
  • Product promotion;
  • Design of efficient DBMS for content management;
  • Other:

    • Designing a product which combines power with ease of use.

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