Further exploring free, available options for GIS software,
led me to DIVA GIS , a program specifically useful for mapping biodiversity. Installing
this software was a relatively simple affair, and its user interface was
straightforward. The Free spatial data provided through the DIVA website was
useful for sourcing available data; including country and global level data, global
climate, crop and species occurrence data, and global 90 meter satellite data.
Of these, the ones I chose to explore were country level, and species occurrence
data. First, with country level data, the DIVA website provides tools for
selecting a country and refining the data selection down to administrative
boundaries, roads, railroads, altitude, land cover, population density. Of
these I selected land cover for the United States (image provided), which
implemented well. Secondly, I explored adding species occurrence data through
the link to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). From here eBird
data was able to be accessed via Excel file, however this data in both csv and
text format was unable to be uploaded into my map on DIVA; a problem I was
unable to rectify. On the whole DIVA requires more GIS knowledge than Google My
Maps, and there is some clunkiness inherent in the system and a lack tutorial
help for solving problems that make this particular software difficult for me
to use casually within my skill set.
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Next, I explored the uses of ARCGIS Pro through Virginia Tech.
Unfortunately, I was unable to install this software due to a Net software bug.
Where I had the appropriately installed software however the installers refused
to recognize the appropriate software on my computer.
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