Developing web-based and mobile

applications to implement the

Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector

Plan

16 May 2014 Mervyn Lotter Scientific Services MTPA

Tools to implement the Mpumalanga

Biodiversity Sector Plan (MBSP)

• Hosting biodiversity priority maps in the cloud, and consuming them in web-

based or mobile applications, greatly increases the opportunities for their

uptake and use in the field.

• From ArcGIS Desktop one creates map services (or feature services) which

are hosted in the cloud or on a server.

• These services can be consumed in a variety of applications without

requiring dedicated GIS software.

• Two such hosted applications that we have developed:

• Web map application.

• Mobile application.

• WARNING: Strong bias towards ESRI software!

Web map application

• Any desktop browser can open a web link

http://conservation3.arcgisonline.com/Apps/MBSP/

Mobile applications

Mpumalanga Biodiversity Plan

- opening screen

MBSP CBA maps

Query data

Query data

Land-use Guidelines

Environmental crimes

Capture species observations

Web maps/mobile apps

• Projects and displays to be authored in ArcMap.

• Publish (export) as a map or feature service to a GIS server or ArcGIS

Online (www.arcgis.com).

• Map services can then be incorporated within a variety of different

applications.

Web maps

• ArcGIS Online

• ArcGIS Viewer 3.6 for Flex(or API)

• ArcGIS Viewer for Silverlight 3.1(or API)

• ArcGIS API for JavaScript (Web App - beta)

•

Mobile applications

• ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Android

• Collector

• ArcGIS

• CarryMap (CarryMap Observer)

ArcGIS Online

• Two kinds of accounts:

1. Subscription (Organizational account)

2. Public (Free-personal account)

• Publish map and feature services - need a subscription account.

• ESRI clients have 1 subscription licence per current ArcGIS licence

(would require a maintenance contract).

• ArcGIS Online uses a ‘credit’ system for certain features.

Building a web map using ArcGIS

Viewer for Flex

Mobile applications

• Ability to access data in the field without additional and costly

hardware.

• MTPA have recently developed a mobile app for Android using

ArcGIS Runtime SDK 10.2 to consume a map service, as well as

other custom code to support citizen science involvement.

• ESRI have developed the ArcGIS Runtime SDK for multiple

mobile platforms (Android, iOS, Windows).

• In 2014/2015, investigate converting app to iOS (Apple phones).

• Plan to incorporate mapping of invasives and ability to upload

images with next update.

Conclusion

• NB to invest in multiple products (i.e. disconnected GIS viewer, web

applications, mobile applications, Handbooks,etc.).

• Web and mobile applications are becoming more powerful and easy to

use. The MTPA plan to share their data, build web and mobile

applications, and to encourage contributions from citizen science.

• The future for hosting products is in the cloud.

• Environmental sector needs access to a server to host data (so that they

can develop products that consume these services).

• Acknowledge support of SCGIS and ESRI Conservation Program.

• Acknowledge SANBI’s support to provinces: BGIS

• Encourage you to make use of www.arcgis.com.

THANK YOU mervyn.lotter@gmail.com

http://www.arcgis.com/

http://conservation3.arcgisonline.com/Apps/MBSP/