World Environment Day Event Series
The Modern Road Ecologist’s Toolbox–Emerging Tools and Technologies for Biodiversity Assessments on Linear Transport Projects
Description
Baseline Biodiversity Assessments (BBA) are a critical part of mitigation planning of transportation infrastructure projects. They are a key prerequisite to sustainable infrastructure development and ensuring environmental sustainability – both key components of ADB’s Strategy 2030. The Modern Road Ecologist’s Toolbox webinar is a three-part webinar series intended to share best practices in conducting BBA for transportation infrastructure projects (roads and railways). There are three modules that will present best practices such as study designs or tools used to understand the impacts of transportation projects on ecosystems. There will also be demonstration on the use of Software As A Service (SAAS) and Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) applications for collecting and communicating spatial information.
We welcome participants to explore the webinar hub. Please fill out the pre-webinar survey so that we can get to know you. The information hub also provides access to online mapping tools and resources that will be discussed throughout the training program. Starting with Module 1, the hub directs you to sign up for a free ArcGIS Online account. Join our group so that you can access the exercises, data, and share web maps that you can create in Modules 1 and 2. For Module 3, the hub will also provide links and data to download open source software to run an analysis. The hub and the survey are examples of the modern road ecologist’s toolbox.
Module 1 (Initial Assessment of Biodiversity Study Design and Data Needs)
29 June 2021, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Manila time (GMT+8)
In the first module we introduce Biodiversity Baseline Assessments (BBA). They are the simple precursors that inform environmentally sustainable infrastructure design and development. We cover information needed to complete standard assessments and how to obtain the data. This will include data collection, amalgamation, visualization and analysis using web GIS and online tools. We will cover species occurrence data using camera traps and sign surveys using point and transect methods as well as arboreal species surveys. Experiences on integrating local indigenous knowledge and citizen science from Asia will be shared.
Module 2 (Managing and Analyzing Biodiversity Data)
6 July 2021, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Manila time (GMT+8)
When free or open-source data do not exist, the data needs to be collected through other means. This Module covers tools and best practices for rapidly collecting spatial data to inform biodiversity assessment for projects. This module also discusses the need to share data with project partners and collaborators while also keeping it secure. Historically, this was an intensive and laborious task based on sharing large spatial datafiles, creating static cartography and reports. Today, we can utilize dynamic dashboards to visualize spatial and tabular data. By using the ArcGIS Platform, we will demonstrate building data collection tools and a secure project dashboard. We draw on an ongoing ADB project in Nepal as a case study.
Module 3 (Mapping Habitat Connectivity for Wildlife)
13 July 2021, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Manila time (GMT+8)
The final module in this series will share how wildlife occurrence data collected from camera traps are used to inform a Baseline Biodiversity Assessment (BBA) and inform next steps towards planning sustainable infrastructure that minimizes impacts on wildlife and ecosystems. We demonstrate ways to collect, visualize and analyze these data using Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) including Maxent and Circuitscape. This will be the most technical webinar of the series covering tools that require some ability to understand spatial statistics and analysis.
Objectives
- Share tools and best practices on Baseline Biodiversity Assessments
- Strengthen management and governance of transportation infrastructure projects
Target participants
- Government officials
- Consultants
- Transport and biodiversity practitioners from lending institutions
- ADB staff
- Transport and Biodiversity practitioners from nature conservation organizations
Target outputs
- Enhanced understanding on emerging online tools and technologies
- New skills on use of web mapping technologies and creating dynamic data platforms for designing ecologically friendly infrastructure
How to register
Register now to join the event for Module 1
Register now to join the event for Module 2
Register now to join the event for Module 3
Event organizers / partners
- Western Transportation Institute, Montana State University
- Parks Canada
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Lisbon
- Asian Development Bank