31. Skip to content

31. Landing Page

Welcome to the BIMS landing page. The landing page is the entry point to user's data exploration journey. The landing page provides a user-friendly interface to access features like log in, register a new account, or learn more about the platform.

31.1 Prior to Login

Upon initial interaction with the platform, users will be greeted by the landing page.

31.1.1 Landing Page Header and Navigation Bar

Home Page

  1. About: The ABOUT navigation link navigates to the about page

  2. Map: The MAP navigation link navigates to the map page

  3. Contact: The CONTACT navigation link navigates to the contact page where the BIMS team is ready to assist with any inquiries or issues.

  4. Help: The HELP navigation link provides access to the help page.

  5. Citation: The CITATION navigation link provides access to the citation page.

  6. LOG IN: The LOGIN button navigates to the login form where registered users can securely access the platform using their credentials.

  7. SIGN UP: The SIGN UP button navigates to the sign up form where users can create a new account.

  8. LOGIN: The LOGIN button opens the login form for registered users.

  9. SIGN UP: The SIGN UP button opens the sign up form for new users.

  10. EXPLORE: The EXPLORE button navigates to the map page where user can explore the interactive map.

  11. Feedback: The feedback button opens a form where users can share their feedback or report about the bug on platform. Logging in is required to submit the form.

    Feed Back Form

31.1.2 Biodiversity Records

The Biodiversity Records section provides an overview of the biodiversity data available on the platform.

Biodiversity Records

  1. This section displays the sample image of a species, the total number of records associated with it, and the total number of sites where it has been observed.

  2. This section contains the user activities, such as the number of users who have viewed the species, the number of users who have downloaded the species data etc.

31.1.3 Platform Details

Information

  1. What is FBIS: The FBIS is a powerful, visual, data-rich information system for hosting and serving freshwater biodiversity data in South Africa. It serves as a platform for the inventory and maintenance of data, thereby facilitating the evaluation of long-term change in freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem condition, and guiding future monitoring strategies and management decisions. Users can learn more about the platform by clicking here.

  2. Why Freshwater Biodiversity Matters: Rivers and wetlands are the arteries of planet Earth. They are critical for our water security and wellbeing, but are also home to an incredible, but rarely seen, diversity of life. In South Africa, freshwaters have become more threatened than any other ecosystems and their aquatic species are disappearing faster than ever before. We have arrived at a crossroads where bending back the curve of biodiversity loss hinges on access to reliable and accessible data.

Information

  1. Life of a Data Point: Video explaining the life of a data point from collection to publication.

  2. Better data = Better decisions: The FBIS hosts and serves high quality biodiversity data that are freely available to a wide range of stakeholders, including researchers, conservation practitioners and policy makers to support data-driven decisions. One example of how data from the FBIS is supporting better freshwater decisions in South Africa is the inclusion of FBIS-derived Freshwater Fish Sensitivity Layers in the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment (DFFE) Screening Tool - legislation used to flag biologically-sensitive areas when new developments or land use changes are proposed. Users can also read the papers by clicking here

31.1.4 Community Practice

Community Practice

  1. The FBIS is an open and collaborative platform, designed to serve the data needs of a broad community of data users for the overarching goal of better-managing South Africa's freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity. The design of the platform was informed by inputs from data users ranging from parastatal organisations through to private consultants. The data served through the platform come from a variety of different sources ranging from databases to research reports and scientific publications.

  2. FBIS Mobile App: A video explaining the FBIS mobile app and its features.

31.1.5 FBIS Mobile App

FBIS Mobile App

  1. FBIS Mobile App: The FBIS mobile application is a quick and easy way to upload freshwater biodiversity data from field monitoring sites directly to the FBIS platform, eliminating the need for datasheets and spreadsheets. Biodiversity data for fish, invertebrates, algae, anurans and plants can be added for both rivers and wetlands, and SASS biomonitoring data can be added for rivers. The app mimics standard data sheets, accommodating details about sampling site, sampling method, sampling effort, environmental data, photographs, notes and more. Sampling data can be synchronized with FBIS platform when back at the office via a wifi connection, or directly from the field using mobile data. The SASS App can be downloaded for free for both Apple and Android devices.

31.1.6 News

The News section provides updates on the latest developments and events related to the platform.

News

31.1.7 Biodiversity Team

Team

31.1.8 Partners

FBIS collaborates with various organisations to advance its platform and achieve its objectives.

Partners

31.1.9 Founders

Founders

Footer

  1. FBIS Logo: This logo navigates to the home page

  2. Home: This link navigates to the home page.

  3. Map: The Map link navigates to the map page.

  4. Documents & Reports: Documents & Reports link navigates to the Source References page.

  5. Contact: The CONTACT navigation link navigates to the contact page where the BIMS team is ready to assist with any inquiries or issues.

  6. Citation: The Citation link navigates to the citation page.

  7. Kartoza Logo: This logo navigates to the Kartoza website.

31.2 Landing Page Once Logged In

Once the user has logged in to the FBIS platform the landing page updates. In the header, there are new navigation links to features of the site that users with credentials have access to, their user profile, and the Quick links provide access to site features that users will need frequently.

Home Page

  1. About: The ABOUT navigation link navigates to the about page

  2. Map: The MAP navigation link navigates to the map page

  3. Contact: The CONTACT navigation link navigates to the contact page where the BIMS team is ready to assist with any inquiries or issues.

  4. Help: The HELP navigation link provides access to the help page.

  5. Citation: The CITATION navigation link provides access to the citation page.

  6. Source References: The Source References link navigates to the source references page.

  7. User Profile: The User Profile link navigates to the user profile page.

  8. Add Site: The Add Site link navigates to the add site page where users can add new sites to the map.

  9. LOGOUT: The LOGOUT button logs the user out of the platform.

  10. EXPLORE: This link navigates to the map page where users can access the interactive map.

  11. Feedback: The feedback button opens a form where users can share their feedback or report about the bug on platform.

    Feed Back Form