The platform’s advanced functionality provides a critical step forward in conservation planning and ecosystem management, with a focus on crayfish species worldwide.
Freshwater crayfish are amongst the largest macroinvertebrates and play a keystone role in the ecosystems they occupy. Understanding the global distribution of these animals is often hindered due to a paucity of distributional data.
In the Press
New web platform provides global mapping of freshwater crayfish and pathogens
Phys.org
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World of Crayfish
Organisation Website
“By bringing together experts from various fields and enabling real-time data updates, we hope to facilitate a more effective approach to managing and conserving freshwater ecosystems”
Dr. Lucian Pârvulescu, West University of Timisoara – Crayfish Research Centre
For All Readers - AI Explainer
What is the focus of the “World of Crayfish™” platform?
The “World of Crayfish™” (WoC) platform is a web-based tool designed to provide real-time, global mapping of freshwater crayfish and their pathogens. It addresses the lack of comprehensive distribution data and offers open access to up-to-date information on crayfish populations and their ecosystems, supporting management and conservation efforts.
Why is there a need for a platform like “World of Crayfish™”?
There is a growing need for accurate, up-to-date distribution data on freshwater crayfish because these animals play a critical ecological role. Non-native crayfish introductions are increasing, which can cause environmental and economic damage. Current distribution data are often incomplete and hard to access, making it difficult for researchers and policymakers to make informed decisions.
How does the platform work and what data does it provide?
WoC operates as a publicly accessible database populated by expert-sourced information, offering real-time global distributional data on crayfish and their pathogens. Users can view, embed, and download geospatial data using specialized services like Web Map Service and Web Feature Service. It also includes data on DNA sequences from genetic studies and offers tools for filtering species records by status, helping users find specific information such as species descriptions.
What are some key features of the WoC platform?
The platform provides a living database with 98.5% of its data sourced from scientific papers, reports, and museum collections. It also offers genetic data, including GenBank accession codes for DNA sequences, and a filter function to locate species based on “type locality.” The platform is designed to protect sensitive data by limiting geographic information access to authorized users (RUs).
How does WoC contribute to crayfish conservation and biodiversity management?
By providing a comprehensive and accessible database, WoC supports conservation efforts for crayfish, a historically under-resourced group. It enables more informed research and decision-making by offering detailed geospatial data and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration between biological sciences and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This helps improve conservation planning and freshwater biodiversity management.
What is the future potential of the World of Crayfish™ platform?
The platform plans to integrate advanced statistical and data processing tools, which will enhance its capacity for biogeographical research. Future developments include improving user interaction through Artificial Intelligence and adding new features to make data collection, curation, and analysis more efficient. The goal is to further enhance the platform’s utility for scientists, stakeholders, and society in the conservation and management of crayfish.
How does the platform protect sensitive information about crayfish species?
To protect sensitive species information, WoC restricts access to exact geographic locations of species to registered users (RUs). Non-registered users (NRUs) can only view species records within larger hexagonal areas, ensuring that sensitive data remains secure while still allowing for public engagement and research.
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