© ESR 2006

Didymo Samples Database

- a web-based tool

www.didymosamplesdb.org.nz

Donald PeterkinRuth Pirie

ESR

July 2007

© ESR 2006

• A Crown Research Institute • Main areas of work- public health

- environmental health

- forensic science

• Major clients include- the Ministry of Health (MoH)

- the New Zealand Police (Police)

- the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA)

- the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST).

Who is the Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR)?

© ESR 2006

• ESR have recently built SurvINZ (an IT platform for our surveillance functions)

• Didymo response is developing a long term management programme

• Didymo sample data stored in multiple repositories

• Biosecurity NZ asked ESR to develop a prototype central repository/web based application to assist long term management partners

• Management tool for the LTM

Background

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Scope• The prototype web based application will enable

partners in didymo surveillance to record and view results of sampling and testing for didymo presence in New Zealand waterways

• All users will be able to see where samples have been taken and where positive results have been recorded.

• Selected data can also be queried from the database and presented in reports and exported for use with other software e.g. GIS.

© ESR 2006

Project to date

• Consultation with BNZ and partner representatives- Sampling form designed

- User requirements gathered

• Functional specification developed• Prototype web based application developed • Existing site and sample data migrated to

database• Initial training provided for users participating in

user acceptance testing

© ESR 2006

User requirements for database

• Entry of completed sampling details• Searching and viewing of results on the sampling

form• Addition of new sample sites• Printing of completed, partially completed and

blank forms• Printing of reports for any site, catchment,

region, or organisation in New Zealand.

© ESR 2006

• Access to real time local and national didymo sample data

• Search tools to find status of sites• Reports to manage sites and results• Linking of samples to sampling sites and sites to

waterways• Visualisation of didymo status of rivers and other

waterways in New Zealand• Aligned with existing partner systems where

possible

What does the Didymo Sample Database offer?

© ESR 2006

https://www.didymosamplesdb.org.nz/

System demonstration

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Home Page

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Site search page

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Reports

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Map

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Map - Zoomed

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Where to from here?• Prototype now undergoing user acceptance

testing• Initial group of users to be given training and

access• Data to be checked and updated to fill gaps• Feedback to be gathered on prototype (via the

LTM regional groups and coordinator)• Start using the system and monitor uptake

© ESR 2006

Future Possibilities• System user numbers expanded to approximately 120

users• Further develop application to assist tracking of

samples and entry of data• Develop additional reports• Enhance ability to link sampling details to laboratory

results• Add module to record data in the field using GPS

enabled PDAs• Map of didymo status accessible to public• Add data declared positive (date of first positive

sample event) to sample form• Include likely environments model (currently being

developed) as a layer in the map display

© ESR 2006

Acknowledgements

• Thanks to all those who helped with this project under tight deadlines particularly - Chris Bicknell, Nadene Boyle, Lesley Wilson & John

Sanson from Biosecurity NZ

- Jody Richardson & Helen Hurren from NIWA for providing the waterway GIS data files

- Matt Dale (Otago Regional Council) and Brett Cockeram (Greater Wellington Regional Council) for their comments on the early prototype design