BerkeleyMapper

BerkeleyMapper displays point distribution maps from distributed sources

Description

BerkeleyMapper was created and built using natural history museum specimen locations but is adaptable for mapping any collection of points. BerkeleyMapper is a collection of scripts and services bundled to provide integrated mapping functions using Google Maps, TerraServer, and open source mapping software components.1

A user can select an area and extract the required sample data. 2

Record details are available for any particular specimen. 3

BerkeleyMapper uses a Google Map base layer with its accompanying zooming and panning tools, and satellite and aerial photos; and overlays specimen data, DEM data, polygons and lines as a web service.

Function

• Visualisation tools
  • Maps
• User interface
  • Personal use
  • Raw data and visual presentation

Why use this tool?

This is a web service mapping tool in a convenient form. Very quickly users can map data, presenting their locations in a convenient and recognisable geospatial interface.

Who will use this tool?

• Data users
  • Expert
  • Interest groups
  • General public

How will the tool be used?

• Online web service
• User input required

BerkeleyMapper operation.4

Linking to BerkeleyMapper requires two steps:5

• construct a URL from your web application that calls BerkeleyMapper with appropriate parameters.
• point to an XML configuration file (that you store on your own server) that tells BerkeleyMapper how to behave. This file is referenced by the URL that you build in step #1, above.

See Guide to Linking

Where in the data chain could this tool be used?

• User’s machine

When could this tool be used?

• At the time of a user request

Availability

• BerkeleyMapper: http://berkeleymapper.berkeley.edu/
• Guide to linking: http://berkeleymapper.berkeley.edu/docs/help.html
• Help: http://berkeleymapper.berkeley.edu/docs/userhelp.php
• Contact: bnhm @berkeley.edu
• Licence: Unknown

Comments

As an example of an application of BerkeleyMapper see: Electronic Monograph of the Holarctic Engraver Beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Ipina) http://peet.tamu.edu/projects/45/public/site/ipina/home/

BerkeleyMapper has the ability to merge multiple occurrences at close locations, which separate as the map is zoomed to larger scales.