Analysing environmental and ecological data can be challenging. This new series of educational modules developed by TERN will help you navigate the ins and outs of data analysis. Designed to help a variety of users, from newbies to experienced researchers, our series will include modules of increasing complexity that will guide you step-by-step into the world of Environmental Data Science. Even if you are not “tech-savvy” we got you covered!
Research infrastructures, such as TERN, allow access to extensive datasets that are essential for long-term, large-scale environmental monitoring that can be used to inform conservation plans and environmental management. However, these large datasets can be challenging to work with. TERN’s education team is currently developing a series of educational modules that will facilitate the use of TERN data by a broader community. The modules, factsheets and accompanying videos will guide you step-by step through the process, from selecting and downloading the data to running simple and complex statistical analyses.
Using TERN data to answer key ecological questions
The first modules in this series will focus on the results of TERN Vegetation Data Synthesis Challenge. This is a series of workshops that were run by TERN in 2022 aimed at identifying the key vegetation data for Queensland. The workshops involved representatives from Queensland State Government, Queensland Local Government, CSIRO, National Research Infrastructure projects, Academia, research students, private consulting and regional Natural Resource Management groups.
Throughout the workshops and in the follow-up polling, the attendees discussed and identified the most important vegetation data needed for environmental management and ecological research. The educational modules will show users how to find and download these data from the TERN Portal and how to plot them and run basic statistical analysis using a simple script. With just a few lines of code users will be able to quantify the relative abundance of different species of trees within an area, investigate the relationship between key variables such as tree height and diameter, and identify areas that may be important for conservation such as those where larger trees are found.
A multi-users approach
The complexity of large environmental datasets can be off-putting to non-specialised users, who may find them challenging to find, access and use. The modules will be the first in a series designed to facilitate the use of TERN data for ecological monitoring, environmental management and research across a broad range of audiences. The aim is to provide access to the data and to data analysis to users starting at different skills levels. They will show how to search and download different data types commonly used in environmental science, how to visualise and plot them, and how to run both simple and complex statistical analyses.
As a follow-up to the 2022 TERN Vegetation Data Synthesis Challenge and part of TERN’s education series, a new workshop, TERN Vegetation Synthesis Workshop—Tree Height + Diameter at Breast Height (DBH), is scheduled for 7 November 2024 beginning at 10am AEST. The workshop aims to present Tree Height and DBH data and provide guidance on accessing and using these variables. It will include an introduction to the data, a live demonstration of retrieving and using the data with R Studio, and a two-hour interactive session with questions.
This workshop is suited to environmental managers in state, local or federal government, ecologists, researchers, and students seeking practical skills in environmental data analysis. Join us to unlock the power of vegetation data and advance your research capabilities.
To attend this workshop you can register here: Webinar Registration – Zoom
