The aim of this tool is to encourage collaboration and citizen participation in the detection of exotic plants and fauna species, especially those with a strong invasive character, raising awareness about their environmental impact, so that eradication and control programs can finally be implemented

Source: Android description (translated) / Image: JRxpo CC BY-SA 2.0

Useful information

Download: Android 4.0 (7.92MB)

Price: free

Language: Spanish

Runs offline: partially (a connection is needed to carry out the sync and see the web map)

Last update: Android 11/10/2017 (v. 1.0)

Offered by: Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia (Dirección General de Medio Natural)

Description

Exoticas Murcia is an app to register exotic plants and animals with invasive capacities that threaten this Mediterranean region. Among these are, for example, Fallopia baldschuanica, a species of the same genus that japanese knotweed, or the monk parakeet (see photo at the top). Created within the framework of the LIFE RIPISILVANATURA project, its objective is to know the location of these specimens in order to execute the measures that prevent the propagation of alien species, in addition to raise awareness.

Sections

First, you must register as a user via email. Once you have registered, in the start menu you will find the following sections (indicated with a * the required fields):

  • Nuevo dato, section in which new sightings are entered by filling in a form. The fields to complete are:
    • flora or fauna species (*). By clicking on the respective buttons, you access a list that also includes a search option.
    • size, to indicate the number of specimens.
    • surface occupied, to fill in when it comes to plant species.
    • date and hour, automatically filled.
    • coordinates (*), also captured automatically.
    • comments, to introduce further details that you also consider relevant.
    • photo of the species (*).
  • Opciones, section that incorporates, in addition to user data, several interesting options. Thus, you can program the synchronization, configure the type of notifications to receive or activate the option to delete the images once the data has been synchronized to free up space.
  • Histórico de datos introducidos, where each user can view a history of their non native species records. From this section it is also possible to edit, refresh, delete, export, synchronize or view on the map.
  • Mapa, section showing the geographical location of sightings.
  • Mapa web, to display the records entered by other users.
  • Llamar al 112, option to alert emergency services in case of fire.

Also, from the home screen, you can access an information section that reminds you that the app has been created in the framework of the LIFE RIPISILVANATURA project.

Image gallery

Screenshots are from the Android version.

Images: screenshots 13/02/2018. © CARM

Video

The video is recorded using the Android version of the app.

More information

Exóticas Invasoras Murcia (in Spanish)

Plataforma on-line para la detección de especies exóticas invasoras en la Región de Murcia (in Spanish)

GRIIS Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species

Rating
3.8

Analysis

Invasive alien species have a high cost, not only on biodiversity, but also in the public purse. Thus, according to a publication of the European Union in 2012, «IAS […] cause serious economic damage to agriculture, forestry and fisheries, which is estimated to be at least EUR 12 billion per year in Europe alone». To cite an specific example, the fight against zebra mussels in the Great Lakes region in US has an annual costs higher to $250 million. But the cost of the surveillance and inspection required to control the propagation of these species is prohibitive for public administrations. For this reason, initiatives such as Exoticas Murcia, which is based on citizen science as a way of involving people in biodiversity conservation, are extremely useful.

Exoticas Murcia stands out for its simplicity of handling, having given priority to this characteristic over design. It also includes some quite useful features such as the possibility of programming synchronization or deleting images once uploaded to the server. In terms of aspects with room for improvement, although the different sightings are reviewed by experts, there is a lack of manuals or photographs to help identify the species. It would also be advisable to include a section about personal data protection policies such as email, especially bearing in mind the new European directive on data protection, which will start to apply from May 2018.

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Técnico de medio ambiente, community manager y content curator especializada en temas de medioambiente - Environmental technician, community manager and content curator specialised in environmental issues