Explore page¶
This documentation explains how to use the map on the platform as well as how to use the various other tabs contained within the Explore page. On the landing page, click on the Explore button in the navigation bar to be redirected to the explore page.
Disclaimer: The screenshots in the documentation may vary slightly from the actual site due to continuous updates and improvements to the platform.
Switching between dark and light mode on the map¶
When you first load the explore page, the map is in light mode. If you wish to change to dark mode you can switch by simply clicking on 1️⃣ the Toggle Dark Mode button.
This will switch your map from light mode to dark mode.
To switch your map from dark mode to light mode, click on 1️⃣ the Toggle Light Mode button.
This will switch your map from dark mode to light mode.
This guide is done mostly in Dark mode, so the visuals will look slightly different to if you are working in light mode.
Changing zoom levels on the map¶
There are multiple ways to change zoom levels on the map: you can scroll up and down on your mouse, you can swipe two fingers up and down on your laptop's touchpad, or you can use 1️⃣ the Zoom in and Zoom out buttons.
Click on the plus (Zoom in) button to zoom in
And click on the minus (Zoom out) button to zoom out and click on the minus (Zoom out) button to zoom out.
Working with map layers¶
When you first arrive on the explore page, to the left of the map will be the FILTERS panel. Click on the LAYERS tab on the panel to switch to the LAYERS panel.
From the list of layers, you can enable and disable layers as needed. If a checkbox is empty then the layer is disabled and not visible. If there is a tick in the checkbox then the layer is enabled and visible.
Keep in mind that some layers are only visible between certain zoom levels, like the Protected areas and Cadastral boundaries.
NGI Aerial Imagery¶
By default, the NGI Aerial Imagery layer is disabled and when you enable it, it will only appear when you zoom in enough.
Changing map orientation¶
When you first view the map, it will be in an overhead 2D view. If you right click and drag your mouse pointer on the map, you can change the view orientation and in turn visualise your data in a 3D manner, or you can click on 1️⃣ the Toggle 3D view button.
When viewing the data in a 3D view, the different intervals are represented at different heights (i.e. the interval with the highest upper bound would be the tallest column).
If you want to reset the map view back to the standard overhead view, click on 1️⃣ the Toggle 3D view button and this will return the map to the 2D overhead view.
Printing your current map view¶
The print option on the map allows you to take a screenshot of whatever is present on your map canvas. To save this screenshot, click on the print icon which is located next to the layers panel.
Select your desired page size, orientation, image format and DPI and then click on the Generate button.
After clicking the Generate button, you will be prompted to save the image to your local machine.
Once the image is saved to you will be able to open it and view it.
Using the Filters Panel¶
To apply filters to the data being displayed on your map, open the FILTERS panel. In this panel there are a few options of filters that you can apply to your map.
If you know a nearby location to your property, you can use 1️⃣ the Search Place field to search for cities, towns, villages, and suburbs (The list of places is from the Surveyor General and some more recent locations may not be searchable). You will need to type at least two characters (letters) before the platform will return a list of search results.
If you know the species you would like to view data for, then you can select the scientific name from 1️⃣ the Species dropdown list (this example uses Connochaetes taurinus, i.e. the Blue Wildebeest). Once you have selected a species then 2️⃣ the key showing the intervals in population will be displayed on the map (i.e. a choropleth map), and zooming in on your properties will let you see which interval they fall into based off of their colour.
If you would like to filter the data by organisation(s), you can use 1️⃣ the Organisation dropdown list to select the organisation(s) for which you would like to view data.
If your property/properties had been previously created, you can use 1️⃣ the Property dropdown list to select the property/properties for which you would like to view data.
If you would like to filter data by year, you can enter in 1️⃣ the Year Field to view data for that specific year.
When you click on 1️⃣ the Activity dropdown, you will be able to choose from a list of activities that can occur on properties that are specified during the data upload process, or you can select all of the activities using the Select All option. Selecting different combinations of options will change the intervals shown on the interval key.
Applying the Spatial Filters¶
There are two types of spatial filters on the platform, the Critical Biodiversity Areas and the Ecosystems. When you apply the spatial filters, whichever of your properties do not intersect the desired sub-section of either of the spatial layers will not be displayed. For example if you choose the Tsakane Clay Grassland as the Ecosystem filter, then all of your properties that do not overlap that ecosystem type will not appear on the map.
If none of the Critical Biodiversity Areas filters are selected, then all of the example properties are displayed.
However, if only the Ecological Support Area 1 filter is selected, then only those properties displayed that intersect Ecological Support Area 1.
If none of the Critical Biodiversity Areas filters are selected, but you select an Ecosystem filter that your properties do not intersect, then none of your properties will be visible.
Unless you choose an Ecosystem filter that intersects your properties.
Reports¶
If you would like reports about different species you will need to navigate to the REPORTS tab of the EXPLORE page. To get there, click on the EXPLORE link in the navigation bar and then click on the REPORTS tab.
If you navigate directly to the REPORTS tab, having not implemented any filters on the map, you will be greeted by a prompt asking you select a species to begin.
If you had already been exploring the map and using a species filter (as shown in Using the Filters Panel), then you will see all data on the platform associated with that species (from your active organisation). This example chose Connochaetes taurinus (i.e. the Blue Wildebeest), but you are free to choose whatever species you would like to get a report for.
Depending on the Report Type option(s) selected, the platform will adapt and automatically update the report to contain the other field types in the displayed table.
Depending on the Activity type(s) selected, the platform will adapt and automatically update the report to contain the other field types in the displayed table.
Adjusting the year slider the Year slider, or the year interval using the From and To fields, will also cause the platform to adapt and only display fields that are within the specified time frame.
Applying any of, or a combination of, the spatial filters ( Critical Biodiversity Areas and/or Ecosystems) will cause the platform to only display records that overlap the desired sub-section of either of the spatial layers. For example if you choose the Critical Biodiversity Area 2 as the Critical Biodiversity Areas filter, then a report of all of your properties that overlap that critical biodiversity area type will appear on the tables.
You can customise which columns will be displayed in the report by clicking on 1️⃣ the columns dropdown menu, and then ticking or unticking the various columns you would like to have as part of your report. Keep in mind there are multiple columns so you can scroll up and down on the dropdown menu.
Once you have customised the report to your preferred specifications, scroll down on the reports page and click on either 1️⃣ DOWNLOAD DATA to then be prompted to download the data currently displayed as either a CSV or an XLSX file, or 2️⃣ DOWNLOAD DATA REPORT to download the report as PDF file.
If you clicked on DOWNLOAD DATA, a small popup menu will be shown where you can choose your preferred format.
Once you choose your preferred format, you will be prompted to save the file (CSV or XLSX) to your computer.
After you have saved the file you can then open it using a program that can open CSV or XLSX file (e.g. using Excel).
If you click on DOWNLOAD DATA REPORT, a popup warning you it may take some time appears.
After which, you wil be redirected to a new tab in your web browser where you can view the PDF report and the report will be downloaded to your computer.
Charts¶
If you would like to view charts about different species you will need to navigate to the CHARTS tab of the EXPLORE page. To get there, click on the EXPLORE link in the navigation bar and then click on the CHARTS tab.
On this page, you can view various charts associated with the chosen species here. If you adjust the filters, the charts you see will change and display different information.
To download the charts, you can click on 1️⃣ the DOWNLOAD DATA VISUALISATIONS button. A popup warning you it may take some time appears.
After that, the PDF file will be downloaded to your system.
Charts Description¶
Referring to the description of each chart will provide a clearer understanding.
Number of properties per population category (count) of species for year chart¶
This chart illustrates the distribution of properties across population categories, based on the total population sizes of the selected species for the chosen year. The population is categorised into six groups. Each bar represents the count of properties per population category, categorised by property type.
Number of properties per population category (population density) of species for year chart¶
This chart illustrates the distribution of properties across population density categories, based on the total population densities of the selected species for the chosen year. Population density is calculated by dividing population size by the available area for the species, which is then grouped into six categories. Each bar represents the count of properties per population density category, categorised by property type.
Number of properties per categories of area (ha) for species for year chart¶
This chart illustrates the distribution of total property size (in hectares) for the chosen year and selected species. The property area is categorised into six groups. Each bar represents the count of properties per property area range, categorised by property type.
Number of properties per categories of area (ha) available to species for year chart¶
This chart illustrates the distribution area available to the selected species (in hectares) for the chosen year, which may be a subset of the total size of the property. The area available to species is categorised into six groups. Each bar represents the count of properties per area available to species on the property, categorised by property type.
Total count of species per province chart¶
This chart illustrates the total population size of the selected species per province for the chosen year.
Activity count as % of total population of species for year chart¶
This chart illustrates the proportions of animals for the selected species, expressed as a percentage of the total population, under different activities for the chosen year. The text above each bar expresses the total count per activity for the chosen year. The total population size is assumed to be the net population size after all reported activities have been conducted.
Total count per population estimate category for species for year chart¶
This chart illustrates the population estimate for the selected species split into the count method used for the chosen year.
Mean and standard deviation of age classes for species chart¶
This chart illustrates the mean and standard deviation of population demographics (age and gender) of the selected species and year across properties categorised by property type. Note these data reflect only the properties for which demographic information is available.
Trends¶
If you would like to view trends for different species you will need to navigate to the TRENDS tab of the EXPLORE page. To get there, click on the EXPLORE link in the navigation bar and then click on the TRENDS tab.
On this page, you can view various trend charts associated with the chosen species here. If you adjust the filters, the charts you see will change and display different information.
To download the trend charts, you can click on 1️⃣ the DOWNLOAD JSON DOCUMENT button.
You will then be prompted to save the trends data to your computer.
Once the file is downloaded, you can open it using a text editor (e.g. Notepad).
Trends Description¶
Referring to the description of each trend will provide a clearer understanding.
Species National Population Trend¶
National population trend. The trend in the total population size across all properties (sub-populations) for all years where data are available. The trend for each property was estimated using General Additive Models fitted to raw population estimates, and then the fitted population estimates were aggregated across all properties in South Africa, each year. The shaded area represents the 95% confidence interval for the population trends. Note – the population estimates are derived from a variety of sampling methods and specific uncertainty bounds (for example, see the Population Estimate Category graph)
Large species populations chart¶
Percentage of populations that are increasing and decreasing: Large populations The percentage of large populations determined by natural breaks in population size categories in South Africa that are increasing or decreasing in size (rapidly or steadily) over the last 3, 5 and 10 years. The number of populations in each category is shown above each bar. Rates of population change are determined from the General Additive Model population trends fitted to raw population estimates.
Medium species populations chart¶
Percentage of populations that are increasing and decreasing: Medium populations The percentage of medium-sized elephant populations (determined by natural breaks in population size categories) in South Africa that are increasing or decreasing in size (rapidly or steadily) over the last 3, 5 and 10 years. The number of populations in each category is shown above each bar. Rates of population change are determined from the General Additive Model population trends fitted to raw population estimates.
Small species populations chart¶
Percentage of populations that are increasing and decreasing: Small populations The percentage of small populations determined by natural breaks in population size categories in South Africa that are increasing or decreasing in size (rapidly or steadily) over the last 3, 5 and 10 years. The number of populations in each category is shown above each bar. Rates of population change are determined from the General Additive Model population trends fitted to raw population estimates.
Total area vs area available to species chart¶
The chart illustrates the total area versus the available area for the species.
Province Population Trend Charts¶
Trend in the total population size across all properties (sub-populations) in the province. The trend for each property was estimated using General Additive Models fitted to raw population estimates, and then the fitted population estimates were aggregated across all properties in the province, each year. Sudden jumps or dips may represent the inclusion of new properties, or translocation of animals out of the province, rather than natural population changes. The total number of properties for each time period can be checked in other graphs. The shaded area represents the 95% confidence interval for the population trends.
Note: the population estimates are derived from a variety of sampling methods and specific uncertainty bounds (for example, see the Population Estimate Category graph)
Trends by property¶
The trend in the total population size for the property is based on a General Additive Model fitted to raw population estimates (raw data shown as dots). Where there were only two estimates a simple log-linear curve was used to connect the two points.
