Quick Start

Get started with Species Explorer in just a few minutes!

Step 1: Open Species Explorer

Click the Species Explorer icon in the toolbar, or go to Plugins → Species Explorer → Species Explorer.

Step 2: Search for a Species

1. Enter a species name in the search box (e.g., "Panthera leo" or "lion")
2. Click the Find button
3. A list of matching species will appear

Search Tips

• Use scientific names for more accurate results
• Partial names work too (e.g., "Panthera")
• Common names are supported for many species

Step 3: Select a Species

1. Click on a species in the results list
2. The taxonomy information will be displayed
3. Review the species details to confirm your selection

Step 4: Fetch Occurrence Data

1. Click the Fetch button
2. Wait for the data to download from GBIF
3. A new point layer will be added to your project

Download Time

Large datasets may take longer to download. The status bar shows progress.

Step 5: Explore the Data

Your new layer includes:

• Point locations for each occurrence record
• Attribute table with detailed information
• Default styling with clustered visualization

Example: African Lion

Let's explore the distribution of the African Lion (Panthera leo):

1. Search for "Panthera leo"
2. Select the species from results
3. Click Fetch
4. View the occurrence points across Africa

The result shows museum specimens, field observations, and citizen science records from across the species' range.

Next Steps

• Learn about all features in the Usage Guide
• Customize the visualization with QGIS styling tools
• Export data for further analysis
• Combine with other GIS layers for ecological analysis

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