"Open data is data that can be freely used, re-used and redistributed by anyone - subject only, at most, to the requirement to attribute and share alike. " From the Open data Handbook
‘International Open Data Day’ this year is on Saturday, 5th March, and a time where governments, app developers, start-ups, businesses, researchers, students and advocates highlight the significance of open data to drive innovation and creativity.
The Science Division of the Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation has a number of data sets that are available for use and re-use through the Queensland Government Open Data Portal, and they are a great way to find and work with data related to environmental and natural resources sciences.
Here are a number of datasets for you to explore.
Image courtesy of DSITI Science Division
Mapping vegetation change in Queensland
Description: The change in woody vegetation across Queensland has been mapped since 1988 using satellite imagery.
Related information: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/vegetation/mapping/slats/
Open data location: http://qldspatial.information.qld.gov.au/catalogue/custom/search.page?q=slats
Image courtesy of DSITI Science Division
Burns and scarring
Description – Fire history has been mapped across Queensland from 1986 to the present using satellite imagery.
Related information - https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/vegetation/mapping/firescar/
Open data location - https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/landsat-fire-scars-queensland-series
Image courtesy of DSITI Science Division
Conservation status of Queensland wildlife
Description: The Conservation status of Queensland wildlife provides the names of nearly twenty thousand priority plants and animals from the WildNet database. It also provides a complete list of Queensland’s plants and animals protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. Updated at least biannually (January and July) it is a useful resource for environmental professionals, researchers, citizen scientists and organisations involved with the collecting and managing wildlife data.
Related information: http://environment.ehp.qld.gov.au/species-search/
Open Data location: https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/conservation-status-of-queensland-wildlife
Image courtesy of DSITI Science Division
Environmental monitoring site locations
Description: Science Division within DSITI monitors Queensland’s natural environment to better understand trends and inform government policy. Historic and near real-time data for air quality, water quality, storm tides and wave height data is freely and openly available via Queensland’s Open Data portal which can be easily accessed and visualised via the “Environmental monitoring site locations” dataset.
Related information: http://www.qld.gov.au/environment/pollution/monitoring/air-monitoring/
http://www.qld.gov.au/environment/water/quality/
http://www.qld.gov.au/environment/coasts-waterways/beach/storm/
http://www.qld.gov.au/environment/coasts-waterways/beach/monitoring/
Open Data location: https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/environmental-monitoring-site-locations
Image courtesy of DSITI Science Division
Banana Plantations in the Wet tropics
Description – The Queensland Land use Mapping Program (QLUMP) updated the land use mapping in the Wet Tropics Natural Resource Management Region to 2015—and specifically includes the mapping of banana plantations at commodity level. These updated maps will aid the biosecurity taskforce in responding to the Panama Tropical Race 4 disease in northern Queensland.
Further information - https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/vegetation/mapping/qlump/
Open data location - https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/land-use-mapping-series/resource/6c56496f-d0d0-45ef-aca4-d23b1ad2f550
Image courtesy of DSITI Science Division
Science Capability Directory
Description: Find out who is working in biotechnology in Queensland, where are Queensland's leading research centres, and information about biotechnology in Queensland - Search the Queensland Science Capability Directory.
Further information: http://www.qld.gov.au/dsiti/about-us/business-areas/innovation-science-dev/science-directory/index.html
Open data location: https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/science-capability-directory
Queensland Wildlife Data API
Description: DSITI published the Qld wildlife data API to assist developers, researchers, environmental professionals, industry and other agencies to directly access information from the WildNet database. Currently there are sixteen functions that can be used download wildlife and project data in three formats (XML/KML, CSV and JSon/GeoJSon).
Related information: http://ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlandmaps/
http://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/species-list/
http://environment.ehp.qld.gov.au/species-search/
Open Data location: https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/qld-wildlife-data-api/
We'd like to hear how you are using open data, and if you have any ideas of new or enhanced data please leave a comment. There's also more information on our website about State Library's open data initiatives and datasets.
And if you are a science geek, or just interested in science visit the Queensland Museum from 9 - 13 March 2016 for the World Science Festival. There are a huge range of programs and events to suit all ages.
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