Examples of different uses of NBN web services
1. BRC “easimap” implementation of the grid map web service
This requires little technical knowledge of how to implement web services. Distribution maps can be implemented by simply imbedding an iframe in the web site with or without additional javascript to produce maps for more than one species. Further instructions on the use of “Easimaps” can be found from the resources page on the BRC website.
Examples hosted by Biological Records Centre
Examples from other web sites
2. Direct use of grid map web service
This allows the display of distribution maps within web sites. It requires technical understanding of web services, especially implementation of the grid map web service. Documentation is provided through the web service library pages, including guidance on rules on web service implementation.
When using the grid map web service the distribution maps produced reflect the distriibution of records as provided by the contributing organisations through the NBN Gateway. It is hope that this closely reflects the current distribution of the species mapped but for under-recorded species this is unlikely to be the case.
Maps are returned in the web service response as images and so download access to the records are not required. However when requesting maps for higher resolution records the level of record access becomes important.
Examples
3. Use of taxonomy web service
This requires technical understanding of web services, especially implementation of taxonomy web service. Documentation is provided through the web services library pages. Use of this web service requires understanding of biological taxonomy and NHM species dictionary.
Examples
4. Use of one site/one species web services
This requires good technical understanding of web services, including how the web services may be used in conjuction with one another. Documentation provided through the web service library pages, including guidance on rules on web service implementation.
A good understanding of the NBN Gateway, especially data structure and access controls, is required. The caveat applied to the display of species' distribution through the grid map web service, especially relevant to under-recorded species, equally applies to the one site and one species web services.
Use of these web services is likely to require advice from the NBN team, currently provided by Geoff Johnson, with technical support where needed. These web services are often used to download and display records overlaid on external mapping interfaces (eg google maps) or within GIS systems.
Examples