Project Description
BushBalance is an innovative ecosystem services visualisation tool that can engage both the public and professionals alike. It aims to make the value of nature more tangible and accessible through technology, which can help conservation and engagement efforts.
Key Features and Functionality
Real-Time Identification and Valuation:
Camera Integration: Users can take photos of trees, and the app uses identification software to recognize the species.
Ecosystem Services Valuation: Based on the characteristics and location of the tree combined with ecological, climatic and distribution open source dataset overlays, the app calculates a minimum ecosystem services estimate provided by each individual tree.
Detailed Tree Information:
Input Variables: Users can enhance the valuation accuracy by entering additional information like tree height, diameter, and condition.
Long-Term Estimates: The app provides a 20-year estimate of the tree’s ecosystem services, which can help users understand the long-term value of preserving the tree.
Inventory and Catalog:
Inven’tree’: A personal repository where users can store information about trees they’ve photographed.
Species Catalogue: Users can browse a catalog of species and their associated ecosystem valuations.
Geospatial Features:
GPS Location: Records the location of each tree using the Digital Atlas of Australia API.
Dataset Overlay: Allows users to view the source datasets that informed the ecosystem valuation.
Community Engagement:
Sharing and Collaboration: Users can share their findings and see data from other users across Australia.
Interactive Features: A simulation-style game that gamifies the experience by allowing users to build virtual ecosystems based on real trees they’ve cataloged.
Educational and Fun Elements:
Game Mechanics: The game encourages users to collect trees and create virtual ecosystems, enhancing their understanding of ecological interactions and the value of biodiversity.
Special species such as koalas can be unlocked if you add enough trees that are located in the koala distribution area. To help the public understand species interaction and the importance of a biodiverse ecosystem.
Potential Enhancements
Enhanced Scientific Integration:
Dynamic Valuation Models: Incorporate more dynamic models that adjust valuations based on real-time data and emerging research.
Additional Ecosystem Services: Include more detailed metrics such as pollination services, soil health contributions, cultural significance, human wellbeing, and specific wildlife interactions.
User Experience Improvements:
Augmented Reality (AR): Implement AR features for tree identification and valuation to make the app more interactive.
Educational Resources: Include tutorials, articles, and videos to educate users about ecosystem services and the importance of different tree species.
Data Accuracy and Validation:
Crowdsourced Data Verification: Implement a system for users to verify and improve the accuracy of the data collected.
Partnerships with Researchers: Collaborate with universities and research institutions to ensure the scientific accuracy of the ecosystem services valuations.
Broader Application:
Integration with Local Authorities: Work with local governments and conservation groups to use app data for environmental planning and policy-making.
Expansion to Other Species: Eventually, expand the app to include a wider range of species and ecosystems, not limited to trees.
Expansion to other areas: We have focused our model on the Sunshine Coast/ Moreton Bay region however we are looking to expand nationally and globally.
Impact Tracking:
Conservation Contributions: Track and highlight how user engagement and contributions are impacting real-world conservation efforts.
User Feedback Loop: Incorporate a feedback system to continually improve the app based on user input and emerging scientific knowledge.
Conclusion
BushBalance has the potential to bridge the gap between scientific research and public awareness by providing a tangible understanding of ecosystem services. By incorporating educational elements, engaging community features, and continuous updates based on scientific advancements, the app can effectively foster a deeper appreciation of nature’s value and support conservation efforts across Australia.
Data Story
The Bush Balance application was developed to enhance user engagement with existing environmental tools, including those provided by i-Tree (Ecosystem Services Valuation (ESV) calculator), iNaturalist (machine learning-based plant identification), and publicly accessible datasets from Unity Water, The Moreton Bay Council and The Atlas of Australia. The primary objective is to standardise ESV metrics, thereby enabling users to correlate land management practices with environmental outcomes and community livability.
Accurate and publicly accessible ESV data have significant and wide-ranging implications, affecting areas such as wildlife conservation, local government budgeting, and public engagement in scientific endeavours. The existing gap between the extensive impact of these services and public comprehension highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions.
The application will leverage unsupervised machine learning algorithms, such as association or clustering methods, trained on user-generated data and existing open datasets. This approach aims to identify probable ecological influences and assess their compounded value within specific regions. User data will contribute to training models integrated with repositories like the Atlas of Australia.
The app will utilise council regional mapping tools and those within the National bushfire history viewer (Digital Atlas) to assign monetary values to ecosystem services across designated zones, including wildlife habitats. Additionally, it will facilitate data collection and future cost predictions to support mitigation strategies for issues such as erosion, flooding, bushfires, and air pollution.
Incorporating game and visualisation components, the app targets broader engagement within the citizen science and educational communities. Its goal is to enhance public understanding of governmental ecological conservation initiatives and threat mitigation strategies.
The mapping overlays and valuation tools are designed for use by diverse demographics, including surveyors, local councils, and researchers. The app will serve as a central repository for ecosystem services calculations within Australia. Future enhancements may include expanding API overlays and integrating generative AI to develop new maps based on collected data, thereby supporting conservation projects. For instance, user-generated content could be used to identify optimal tree planting locations that offer significant economic benefits to local communities.
For illustrative purposes, the app retrieves koala sightings from the Moreton Bay dataset, assigning higher values to trees within a 1 km radius. This example, along with other multipliers in the calculator, serves to demonstrate functionality. The actual minimum values will be sourced directly from the i-Tree API. Although the current algorithm is simplified for demonstration and due to the time constraints of the competition, the calculated values align closely with those from i-Tree. Future versions of the app will incorporate additional sources, such as the Ecosystem Services Valuation Database (ESVD), to include metrics beyond those available in i-Tree. Additional data sources will be necessary to estimate the value or cost of factors such as tourism and cultural significance, which are currently incorrectly seen as species-specific and not covered by current datasets.
