The EBM Tool Demonstration Webinar Series provides a way to learn about tools quickly (webinars typically last 1 hour) to determine their suitability for specific EBM projects.  Webinars are held 1-3 times per month.  You can view and download recordings of webinars from 2008 below.  View a list of upcoming webinars, and download recordings of 2010 webinars and 2008 webinars.  Sign up for notices of upcoming webinars.  

2009 Tool Demonstrations Available

anyWare Polling | ARIES | California Ocean Uses Atlas Project | Coastal Resilience EBM Tool Demonstration Project | Connie | Eureka | Eonfusion | Fledermaus | Google Earth and Google Maps | IAN | Integrated Land-Sea Planning Toolkit | Mapping the Cumulative Impact of Human Activities on Marine Ecosystems | MarineMap | Marxan with Zones | MINOE | Mitigation Ratio Calculator | MPA EZ – the CCIF MPA Financial Management Tool | Multi-species Community-Based Fisheries Monitoring and Managing Tool | Multipurpose Marine Cadastre | NatureServe Vista | Participatory GIS | Reef Resilience Toolkit | Social Network Mapping and Analysis | U.S. Legislative Atlas

Demonstration of Eonfusion by Chris Malzone of Myriax Inc (January 14, 2009).  Eonfusion is a new software tool that provides 4D analysis and visualization of time-varying spatial data. It allows users to streamline the integration of large and diverse data sets, explore relationships among multiple variables, and communicate complex results in an engaging way.  Eonfusion makes data exploration and analysis easier through an intuitive graphical ‘data flow’ environment, and users can customize data processing methods within a user coding environment.  Eonfusion can reduce data processing and analysis time, reduce processing errors, and improve the communication and understanding of results.  Learn more about Eonfusion.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Demonstration of Social Network Mapping and Analysis for EBM/Conservation Applications by June Holley of Network Weaving and Ken Vance-Borland of the Conservation Planning Institute (January 29, 2009).  Many of the insights we will get when we reflect on our conservation actions have to do with relationships—who shares information with whom, which individuals are working together, who is generating and sharing new ideas with whom. Network maps enable us to track these relationships and then work together to improve information flow, innovation diffusion, and collaborative activities by improving the connectivity of individuals in the conservation network.  Network metrics, which have been developed over the last 50 years by social network analysts, provide a quantitative measure of the network.  In addition, it is useful to track network structures and processes using indicators of the shift to an environment where people are effectively self-organizing and where outcomes are likely to be greater. Learn more about these methods at www.networkweaving.com/june.html.  Download the Powerpoint presentation or the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Demonstration of MINOE (Beta Version): A Tool to Analyze Management from an Ecosystem Perspective by Julia Ekstrom of Stanford University (February 5, 2009).  MINOE is a new tool to help navigate existing laws and regulations (and associated agencies) in an ecosystem context. The tool allows users to construct (or import) an ecosystem model representing elements and relationships of interest to the user. The tool then outputs the laws and regulations containing the ecosystem elements and relationships. It also outputs (and marks in red) those ecosystem relationships that are not explicitly addressed in any law or regulation.  Each element is defined by the user with a set of terms or phrases.  Additional features in this beta version include: 1) viewing list of documents that contain ecosystem element or ecosystem relationship, 2) viewing agencies in charge of relevant documents, 3) statistical tests of similarity between ecosystem model and related law/regulation matrix, and 4) visualization module to graphically explore data.  The purpose of this demonstration of the beta version of the tool is to get feedback from potential users on additional features that would make this most useful and to find collaborators for applications of the tool in the marine or other domains of governance.  Learn more about the tool at http://minoe.stanford.edu/.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us. 

Demonstration of MarineMap Decision Support Tool by Will McClintock (UCSB), Charles Steinback (Ecotrust), and Matt Merrifield (TNC) (February 26, 2009).  The California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative (MLPAI) is currently working toward establishing a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for the state. Since 2005, several web-based decision support tools for stakeholders to visualize and analyze geospatial information within California state waters have been developed. In 2008, a new web-based decision support tool for stakeholders to (a) visualize geospatial data layers, (b) draw prospective MPA boundaries with attributed information, (c) assemble prospective MPA boundaries into arrays, (d) share MPA boundaries and arrays with other users, (e) generate graphs and statistics to evaluate MPAs based on science-based guidelines, and (f) share results with users in a place-based discussion forum has been released. Based on Open Source technologies, the MarineMap decision support tool is well documented, freely distributed and modifiable for any area-based planning effort. They demonstrated the major features of the tool and illustrate how it was used in the MLPAI.  Learn more about MarineMap.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Demonstration of the Multi-species Community-Based Fisheries Monitoring and Managing Tool by Melissa Sanderson of the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association (April 1, 2009).  Multi-species Community-Based Fisheries Monitoring and Mapping Tool is a portable, freely distributed EBM tool that provides real time management functionality to track multi-species fisheries quotas and interactions with protected species, as well as assist in community based management decision making.  New England’s groundfishery is undergoing a transition from input to output control management, resulting in multiple species’ quotas being allocated to community sectors to manage internally.  This is creating a demand for a tool the sector managers can use to process and analyze multiple streams of electronic federal data, stakeholder data, tolerance levels/priorities, and environmental variables.  The tool has database shell option that allows multiple EBM tool databases to be joined throughout the region.  Additionally, there is an optional visual spatial analysis component to create maps of catch and discard distributions and interactions.  Learn more about the tool.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Presentation on the Multipurpose Marine Cadastre by Adam Bode of NOAA Coastal Services Center (April 14, 2009).  The Multipurpose Marine Cadastre is an integrated marine information system for U.S. state waters and the outer continental shelf.  It provides access to marine cadastral, physical, cultural, and legal information, including responsibility and use of marine areas, in a common reference framework.  The Cadastre provides: (1) a Data Portal with data available in several common file formats such as ESRI and KML and as Web services and (2) a Data Viewer with data viewable through ArcIMS and Google Earth applications.  An example of how the Cadastre can be used to support decisions on ocean uses is the Alternative Energy Viewer, a data viewer that contains marine cadastral and other data that have been identified as critical to alternative energy siting and research.  Standard templates and documentation for visualization and analysis of geospatial data are available for organizations interested in building their own mapping application.  Technical support from the Multipurpose Marine Cadastre project team to provide assistance in acquiring, using, and sharing offshore boundary data is available on a case-by-case basis.  Learn more about the Multipurpose Marine Cadastre.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Demonstration of anyWare Polling by Ken Snyder and Jason Lally of PlaceMatters (May 6, 2009).  Keypad polling is a decision support tool commonly used in public meetings to obtain anonymous feedback from participants at key decision points. This feedback is important in public processes as it allows the group to confirm whether consensus is reached or it may inform the process facilitator that additional information or discussion is required. Such technology consists of hand held keypads (similar to TV remote controls) that communicate via with a base station. Responses are recorded anonymously when each participant selects a number on his or her keypad corresponding to a multiple choice answer or preference along a scale (for example, “Enter 1 if you strongly disagree and 5 if you strongly agree”). Polling results are displayed on the projection screen seconds after each question is asked.  One advantage of anyWare Polling over other polling applications is that it runs on a web platform instead of as a plug-in on top of PowerPoint.  This makes it possible to synchronize keypad polling with online polling using computers or handheld devices like smartphones and PDAs and thus enables participants to take part in the decision-making process at a face-to-face meeting or remotely from home or work.  Learn more at http://mgel.env.duke.edu/proj/mebm/funded-projects/anyware/index_html.    Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Demonstration of MPA EZ – the CCIF MPA Financial Management Tool, by Sarah Conway and John Claussen of the Conservation and Community Investment Forum  (May 18, 2009). The CCIF MPA Financial Management Tool is a pragmatic platform for managing MPAs that is financially driven but rich in a variety of other information as well.  It rooted in the belief that financial modeling and business planning offer the ideal organizing mechanism for the establishment and management of MPAs; this approach ensures that both the conservation logic and operational model are well thought-through and financially feasible. The platform includes an online tool on the CCIF website, as well as an MS Excel version of the tool.  The online tool consists of a wizard-like series of html forms that collect MPA-specific profile, cost, and revenue data and information in four different sections: MPA Profile, Revenue, Costs, and Resource Optimization Analysis. The outputs provide practitioners with an overview of the current financial situation (e.g., size of the funding needed to cover annual and cumulative expenses and the net present value of all funding that are required to support the MPA/ecosystem over a 10-year period), how to ensure that resource allocation is in-line with the management objectives, how to use financial and physical resources in a more efficient manner, and how to develop sustainable financing portfolios.  The website will incorporate training materials and include a comprehensive wiki component including general and regional definitions and(in the future)  best practices, thought pieces, and other related resources.  Learn more about the CCIF MPA Financial Management Tool at http://ccif.digitalclouds.net/costmodel/authentication/login.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us. 

Presentation on Mitigation Ratio Calculator by Dennis King of the University of Maryland (June 4, 2009).  The national goal of "no net loss" of wetlands means that wetland development permits are usually issued only if permit-seekers agree to "mitigate" lost wetland functions by undertaking wetland creation, restoration or enhancement projects, or by to preserving at-risk wetland areas.  Since each acre of mitigation may not fully compensate for each acre of impacted wetland a "mitigation ratio" is usually used to establish the number of acres of mitigation required per acre of wetland impact.  Besides establishing a kind of environmental quality/quantity tradeoff, the mitigation ratio has an enormous effect on the cost of providing mitigation. For this reason, and because resource agencies often establish mitigation ratios on the basis of ad hoc criteria or obscure biophysical measurements or by employing politically negotiated look-up tables, the mitigation ratios recommended by resource agencies are often challenged by permit seekers.  The Mitigation Ratio Calculator is a framework, formula, and associated spreadsheet program that resource agencies can use to develop wetland mitigation ratios that are based on scientific and economic principles, can be applied using "best available" information, result in mitigation that will achieve the "no net loss" wetland goal, and are capable of withstanding technical and legal challenges.  The approach can be applied usefully whether mitigation takes the form of wetland creation, restoration, enhancement, or preservation, or some combination.  Similar tools are being developed to assess and compare other types of environmental investments and trades, such as carbon sequestration trades that involved reforestation.  Read a full report on the tool at www.kingeconomics.com/pubs/NOAA%20WetMitRatio.pdf and read more about wetland assessment procedures used at www.ebmtools.org/expanding_wetland_assessment_procedures.html.  Download the tool.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.   

Demonstration of Eureka by Jorge Torre of Comunidad y Biodiversidad and Ken Vollmer, Dane Springmeyer, and Mike Mertens of Ecotrust (June 30, 2009).  Eureka is an open source software tool for comparing subtidal monitoring data from fully-protected marine reserves (no-take zones) with data from other sites.  Eureka helps users: 1) enter abundance and size data for invertebrate and fish species monitored by transects, quadrants or cylinders of any dimensions; 2) compare species abundance and size information from inside and outside no-take zones over time; and 3) create a graphic report of the comparison and perform basic statistical analyses.  Eureka is flexible enough to be used anywhere in the world where subtidal monitoring of invertebrates and fish is being done.  The goal of Eureka is to enable users to enter information immediately after a monitoring season and quickly obtain basic graphic comparisons and statistical analyses which can be presented to fishers and managers and other stakeholders of the marine area for discussion. This will help avoid long waits for “expert” analysis. In addition, information in Eureka can be exported to Excel for further analysis.  Learn more and start using Eureka at http://eurekamarine.org/.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.   

Mapping the Cumulative Impact of Human Activities on Marine Ecosystems by Ben Halpern of the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) (July 8, 2009).  Despite technological advances that now allow people to access, exploit or affect nearly all parts of the ocean, we still understand very little of the ocean's biodiversity and how it is changing under our influence. This presentation demonstrated methods for mapping the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems. Steps in the mapping process include gathering or creating maps of individual human activities that impact marine ecosystems, estimating the ecological consequences of these activities by quantifying the vulnerability of different ecosystems to these activities, creating a cumulative impact map by overlaying individual threat maps and using vulnerability scores to estimate ecological impact, and, finally, ground-truthing impact scores.  The resulting cumulative impact map provides critical information for evaluating where certain activities can continue with little effect on the oceans, where other activities might need to be stopped or moved to less sensitive areas, and where to focus efforts on protecting remaining pristine areas.  Learn more about this work at www.nceas.ucsb.edu/GlobalMarine.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.  

Presentation on the Coastal Resilience EBM Tool Demonstration Project by Zach Ferdaña of The Nature Conservancy (July 16, 2009).  The Coastal Resilience project, supported by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation as an EBM Tool Demonstration project, provides communities with easy access to information for coastal planning, zoning, acquisition, and other management decisions regarding resources at risk from sea level rise and coastal hazards. The project is using the interactive web mapping tool Future Scenarios Mapper to visualize future flood scenarios, determine ecological, social and economic impacts caused by sea level rise and storm surge, and conduct policy analysis of possible solutions for the south shore of Long Island, New York.  Long Island is an ideal case study for examining sea level rise projections and management scenarios because it is home to 7.5 million people, low-lying, heavily developed along much of its shoreline, and extremely likely to be radically changed by sea level rise.  The project’s methodology is readily transferable to other locations as well.  This presentation/demonstration covered how the Future Scenarios Mapper tool is informing local planning on Long Island as well as the Future Scenarios Mapper tool itself.  Learn more about the project and play with the Future Scenarios Mapper at http://coastalresilience.org/future-scenarios.html.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Demonstration of the Reef Resilience Toolkit by Stephanie Wear of The Nature Conservancy (July 29/30, 2009 [THREE separate times to accommodate practitioners in coral regions throughout the world]).  The Reef Resilience Toolkit provides coral reef managers with guidance on building resilience to climate change into the design of MPAs and their daily management activities. The Toolkit is divided into modules and includes guidance on management strategies such as conserving fish spawning aggregations, MPA network design, and developing coral reef monitoring programs. Each module begins with introductory information defining a problem and providing background about the system and issues. The Introduction is followed by sections that provide specific guidelines on implementing resilience-based management. For example, the introduction to the Coral Reefs module focuses on the problem of climate change and coral bleaching, followed by guidance on how to design MPAs and networks to anticipate climate change. This in turn is followed by case studies demonstrating how managers are implementing these approaches. To learn more, go to www.reefresilience.org/home.html.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Demonstration of the U.S. Legislative Atlas by Brian Smith of NOAA Coastal Services Center (August 12, 2009).  A complex and multi-layered system of laws, organizations, and strategies exists to manage and govern uses of ocean and coastal resources. Resource management authority is fragmented among a variety of federal, state, and local agencies, often resulting in redundant efforts, inefficiency, and lack of coordination among agencies. The Legislative Atlas can help coastal and ocean resource managers make sense of the complex jurisdictional and regulatory system and identify potential gaps in the current management framework.  The Atlas displays spatial data for state and federal laws and jurisdictional boundaries and allow users to search an online database of coastal and ocean legislation, according to geographic area, issue of interest, or management agency. Learn more about the Legislative Atlas at http://csc-s-maps-q.csc.noaa.gov/legislativeatlas/index.html.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Demonstration of Marxan with Zones by Matt Watts and Carissa Klein of the University of Queensland (August 26 and 27, 2009).  Marxan with Zones is an extension of the Marxan software that allows users to allocate land and/or sea parcels to multiple zones each with their own targets, planning unit costs and biodiversity benefits.  Users can now create zoning plans that meet a variety of conservation and human-use objectives while minimizing total cost of implementation.  The new functionality provides the flexibility to address a range of complex spatial planning problems.  Current case studies in preparation examine problems related to: biosphere reserves, multiple-use marine parks, off reserve marine planning, and multiple use terrestrial forestry planning. Those wishing to apply Marxan with Zones should first become familiar with Marxan.  Learn more about Marxan and Marxan with Zones at www.uq.edu.au/marxan.   Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us. 

Presentation on an Integrated Land-Sea Planning Toolkit and its use in Aransas County, Texas, by Kiersten Madden of the Mission-Aransas NERR, Amy Anderson of Placeways, and Ian Varley of NatureServe (September 22, 2009).  In this project, three decision-support tools (Placeways’ CommunityViz, NatureServe Vista, and NOAA’s Nonpoint-Source Pollution and Erosion Comparison Tool) were used in an integrated manner to develop alternative land use strategies that best meet ecological and socioeconomic sustainability objectives, including water quality and estuarine-marine resource objectives, for Aransas County, Texas,  Aransas County is a coastal county that supports a healthy estuary with diverse and rare habitats.  The county is experiencing rapid population growth, and the community is interested in protecting the quality of life, natural resources, and water quality.  This presentation described the project context, how the local community is involved in use of the toolkit, and methods for using the tools in an integrated manner.  A final product of the project is a toolkit that can be transferable to other locations and implementation guide.  This project was funded in part as an EBM Tool Demonstration Project by the David & Lucile Packard Foundation.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Overview of Science Communication Tools by Bill Dennison and Tim Carruthers of the University of Maryland (September 30, 2009).  The Integration and Application Network (IAN) produces a variety of communication products including newsletters, posters, books, reports, brochures, and conceptual diagrams. These products synthesize scientific findings using effective science communication techniques. This webinar will give an overview of the scientific communication products that IAN produces with a focus on conceptual diagrams and conceptual diagramming tools.  Conceptual diagrams or “thought drawings” depict essential attributes of the system and can evolve to capture increased understanding of the system.  They can help clarify thinking and avoid ambiguity, provide a communication interface that combines current scientific understanding with community priorities and environmental values, and identify gaps and priorities.  IAN provides a variety of resources, examples, tools and tutorials available along with a symbol library of over 1500 custom symbols to help you produce your own conceptual diagrams.  Learn more at http://ian.umces.edu/. Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Demonstration of Fledermaus by Erin Heffron of Interactive Visualization Systems (October 7, 2009).  Fledermaus is 3D visualization and analysis software for topographic and bathymetric data. The software suite allows users to create and interact with full-resolution terrain and bathymetric surface models, and then integrate those surfaces with a variety of other data types to make a "scene." Users can add images, vertical imagery, ASCII points and lines, Electronic Nautical Charts, 3D models, ESRI shapefiles, and AutoCAD DXF and DWG files to build visualizations of interrelated data. Fledermaus can also load, process, and visualize multibeam sonar and LIDAR data, can process and mosaic multibeam backscatter data, and be used to run profiles along a surface, do slope and rugosity calculations, and create fly-throughs.There are tools for the visualization of real-time movement of vessels, autonomous underwater vehicles or anything getting a NMEA GPS location.  The latest version of Fledermaus supports the integration and display of time-stamped data allowing visualization of earthquakes, sediment migration, and wave propagation over time.  For academic institutions and non-profits, the price per license ranges from $799 to $1995, a 90% discount off of commercial pricing.  Government also gets a discount off of commercial pricing.  There is a free downloadable viewer so users can share visualizations with others.  Tools to integrate with ESRI ArcGIS and to process and visualize water column data, such as plumes or fish populations, are under development.  Learn more at http://www.ivs3d.com/. Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Presentation on California Ocean Uses Atlas Project by Nick Hayden, Mimi D'Iorio, Charles Wahle, and Jordan Gass of the NOAA MPA Center and Lance Morgan of MCBI (October 20, 2009).  The California Ocean Uses Atlas Project is mapping nearly 30 different human uses of the ocean off the state of California through participatory GIS workshops. The atlas provides baseline information regarding the location and extent to which the ocean environment is used for non-consumptive, industrial, military and fishing uses. Potential applications and clients of Atlas products include the California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative, federal MPA initiatives, fisheries management actions, ocean energy siting, and regional ocean governance. Data, maps and analytical products will be made available to state and federal agencies and to all interested parties via various publicly accessible web sites. This presentation covered how the atlas is being created and provided a walk-through of the current Atlas. Learn more about the project at http://mpa.gov/science_analysis/atlas.html.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Making Maps with Google Earth and Google Maps by Shane Bradt of the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension (October 27, 2009).  This webinar demonstrated how to make interactive and 3D maps using free Google mapping tools. It explored the basics of Google Earth and Google Maps with a focus on creating maps to share with others. With Google Earth, you can show points, lines and areas with colors and icons of your choice and link to webpages, pictures and email addresses. Google Maps provides the ability to create a custom map online and share it with colleagues, have them contribute to the map, and embed your custom map in your own website.  A training manual which walks users through how to use the Google Earth and Google Maps functionality demonstrated in this webinar is available from UNH’s Cooperative Extension at  http://extension.unh.edu/GISGPS/GISINFO.cfm?crs=18.  Google Earth can be downloaded at http://earth.google.com/. Google Maps is available at http://maps.google.com/.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Presentation on Participatory GIS by Danielle Bamford and Chrissa Stroh of NOAA Coastal Services Center and Becky Szivak of ACE Basin NERR (November 5, 2009). Participatory GIS is a practice in which local communities share their knowledge and opinions to help generate maps to inform management and decision-making.  Participatory GIS fosters discussion and collaboration among stakeholders and can capture important knowledge from underrepresented groups.  This presentation described the use of Participatory GIS in two coastal projects: the Edisto Island Preservation Association’s project to make recommendations on an update to the local county comprehensive plan and the Great Works Regional Land Trust’s project to develop a strategic plan for the land trust's conservation work.  The presentation also described new resources for coastal resource managers interested in using Participatory GIS.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Demonstration of NatureServe Vista 2.5 by Patrick Crist of NatureServe (November 18, 2009).  A new version of NatureServe Vista has just been released.  NatureServe Vista 2.5 is a free decision support system for conducting conservation planning and integrating conservation with other assessment and planning activities such as land use, transportation, energy, natural resource, and ecosystem-based management in any ecosystem type.  NatureServe Vista enables users to evaluate, create, implement, and monitor land use and resource management scenarios that operate within the existing economic, social, and political context to achieve conservation goals.  The tool operates on an ArcGIS platform.  The latest version (v2.5) integrates interoperability with N-SPECT and other hydrologic models to support integrated land-water assessment and planning.  Learn more at www.natureserve.org/vista.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Demonstration of ARIES by Ferdinando Villa and Marta Ceroni of the University of Vermont (December 3, 2009).  ARIES is a web-based decision support system that is used for the assessment and valuation of ecosystem services. Using a unique artificial intelligence approach, ARIES studies all the data relevant to ecosystem service assessment questions in a given area and constructs a cause-and-effect picture of how ecological and economic factors interact in the selected area. The result of an ARIES user session is a dynamic environmental asset analysis that spatially quantifies the provision, use, and dynamics of flow of ecosystem services in the area. Users can explore effects of policy changes and external pressures (such as climate change) through ARIES’ scenario analysis module.   ARIES incorporates a valuation module to assess potential and realized economic values and a biodiversity module to estimate values of protected areas for human well-being and threats to protected species. An ARIES analysis includes documentation and references that document and justify operations, datasets, and models used to create it.  A fully functional portal will be available to the public at the end of the project in 2010, but test versions are currently available.  ARIES will be free for non-profit users, including NGOs, academic, or governmental institutions.  Learn more about ARIES at http://ecoinformatics.uvm.edu/aries. Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.

Demonstration of Connie 2.0 by Scott Condie of CSIRO (December 14/15, 2009).  Characterizing connectivity patterns in the marine environment provides a range of benefits for resource management and conservation including helping to design more effective marine reserves; improving risk assessment for marine contaminants and invasive species; and increasing understanding of variability in the recruitment of key species (e.g. commercial and keystone species).  Realized dispersal is expensive and difficult to measure, but connectivity can also be predicted from an understanding of relevant oceanographic processes.  Connie is an online tool for exploring marine connectivity patterns throughout the Indo-Pacific, Australasian, and adjacent Southern Ocean.  It uses Bluelink Reanalysis estimates of ocean currents to allow users to: (a) estimate connectivity at arbitrary time and space scales (limited only by the resolution and coverage of the available oceanographic information) and (b) incorporate a range of common biological behaviors that may influence transport (e.g. vertical migration, horizontal swimming).  It also provides a range of options for representing statistical summaries of connectivity patterns and can help identify improved strategies for representing connectivity patterns in population dynamics models, ecosystem models, and reserve design tools. The original version of Connie can be accessed at www.per.marine.csiro.au/aus-connie/quickGuide.html.  Download the recording of the presentation [Windows Media .wmv format].  If you are unable to download the recording, please contact us.