1. User Perspective in Nature Conservation Co-funded by the Community Programme eContentplus ECP-2007-GEO-317007

2. 2 USER NEEDS The aim: To provide good understanding for nature conservation data To support implementation phase

3. SDI – AN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE USER Usability in terms of… spatial data metadata tools 3

4. 4 NATURE CONSERVATION – AFFORDANCES ON SPATIAL INFORMATION

5. SURVEY DESIGN Online survey 10 sections 67 questions 314 responses in 23 countries NATURE-SDIplus user survey: 5

6. n=314 User needs survey, geographical distribution Completeness & representativity User needs survey, target user groups THE SURVEY 6

7. NATURE-SDIplus & The User THE SURVEY 7

8. NATURE-SDIplus & The User THE SURVEY 8

9. Numerous different attributes (e.g. species, habitats & biotopes) Paradigm shift in nature conservation NATURE-SDIplus & The Data THE SURVEY 9

10. NATURE-SDIplus & The Data THE SURVEY 10

11. NATURE-SDIplus & The Tools/ Functions basicadvanced THE SURVEY 11

12. Use of Geoportals: 43% Handling spatial data & mapsFurther interest NATURE-SDIplus & The Tools/ Functions THE SURVEY 12

13. User & data situationDemand & need for Nature-SDIplus Data users and data providers demand for a high number of attributes. Features (attributes) regarding INSPIRE DataSpecifications should be amended (see Feature Lists). Users and producers of nature conservation data point out the relevance of time-series data. Data models should pay attention to and integrate temporal aspects. In geoportals not only current, but also historic data should be provided (e.g. time slides). Data DEMANDS & NEEDS FOR NATURE-SDIplus 13

14. User & data situationDemand & need for Nature-SDIplus Data users and data providers demand for a specific metadata. Features (metadata) regarding INSPIRE DataSpecifications must be amended (see Feature Lists). A majority of data providers do not have ISO compliant metadata. Demanding a large amount of metadata is unrealistic. Many have no metadata at all.The usability of metadata editor is important. Potential users need project and contact information for datasets. Contact information should be mandatory (this also helps access data with restrictions due to IPR or sensitivity issues). Users most frequently search by keywords. Catalogue data and a comprehensive thesaurus are essential. Metadata, Thesaurus DEMANDS & NEEDS FOR NATURE-SDIplus 14

15. User & data situationDemand & need for Nature-SDIplus A majority of data users and data producers uses desktop-GIS tools. Data should be made accessible via WFS / WCS rather than just WMS for enabling data download. A majority of users also need advanced analysis tools for spatial data handling (e.g. modelling, statistical analysis). Data providers should offer web geoprocessing services and / or WFS, WCS to enable further analysis. The vast majority of data providers offer their data in one format, most often ArcSDE/SHP/Grid and thus are only accessible for GI-experts. Attention should be paid to support also open source approaches, and open data formats (e.g. kml). Data providers: web service provision DEMANDS & NEEDS FOR NATURE-SDIplus 15

16. User & data situationDemand & need for Nature-SDIplus Potential users significantly differ by their characteristics (citizens, NGOs, teachers, students, researchers, administrative staff etc.). Geoportals could offer different (hierarchical) realisations for different user types. Important tasks carried out by data users and data providers are monitoring, reporting, research work, planning, and management. Geoportals / services should first focus on the demands of these tasks. Most users only want to view data.Special attention should be paid to performance and adequate web mapping tools (panning, zooming). Geoportal usability DEMANDS & NEEDS FOR NATURE-SDIplus 16

17. User & data situationDemand & need for Nature-SDIplus All target user groups have a strong need for additional data on e.g. land- use, soil type or climatic conditions. The Nature-SDIplus themes should be linked to and be compliant with other INSPIRE data themes – and / or they should be provided together in the same portal. There is no specific data policy for nature conservation. Most countries have regulation means for access for third parties (due to issues of security or sensitiveness, intellectual property right (IPR) and confidentiality). An authentication system or degraded georeferencing using a grid system can be used for limitations of access in the case of security or sensitiveness. Most of the potential users of a nature conservation SDI use and provide data. Geoportals should be open for data provision from all user groups (not only public administration). Geoportal usability DEMANDS & NEEDS FOR NATURE-SDIplus 17

18. User & data situationDemand & need for Nature-SDIplus The financial conditions of access to nature conservation data vary from one country to another, depending also on the requesting organisation. A concerted regulation for the EU member states would be helpful. Many nature conservation data can be viewed only on isolated websites of public authorities, universities, NGOs or at national or regional geoportals. Raising awareness amongst data providers to make data accessible by web-services rather than only for local viewing or downloading. Awareness raising DEMANDS & NEEDS FOR NATURE-SDIplus 18

19. Diverse levels of expertise of target users -> demand for simplification of the systems (usability) and user qualification (training) Nature conservation data are frequently updated positive environment for the adoption of new standards and functionalities Added value of Nature-SDIplus for the INSPIRE process by realisation of a user-centred SDI for nature conservation Awareness raising and training CONCLUSIONS 19