Biodiverse is a system to compute indices of biodiversity. In the BCCVL it calculates gridded estimates of species richness and endemism based on previously run Multi-Species Distribution Models.

Note: You will need to run multiple Species Distribution Models or a Multi-Species Distribution model before you can run a Biodiverse Experiment.

How to run a Biodiverse experiment in the BCCVL

• At the top of the page click on the Experiments tab. 
• Under the secondary experiments heading click on Biodiverse Experiment.

Step 1: Description tab

• Enter the name for your experiment in the first box (e.g. Biodiversity southeast Queensland) 
• (optional) You can also add a description of your experiment in the box below if you want to convey more information. Some researchers use this box to record their research question or hypotheses for later referral
• Click Next.

Step 2. Source SDM Experiment tab

• Click Select SDM Experiment
• Select your chosen species distribution model/s or the climate change model/s
  • If you selected a Species Distribution Model then check the box next to the algorithm/s with which you would like to use
  • If you selected a Climate Change Model select which year/s and emission scenario/s with which you would like to use
• Select your Threshold value. You can leave this on the default or you can select from the dropdown box. NOTE: threshold values refer to the probability cutoff at which the probability turns into either an occurrence or an absence. These values should be between 0 and 1. For example specifying a threshold of 0.5 means that a probability value >=0.5 will be recorded as present (1) and anything <0.5 will be recorded as absent (0). 
• If you find your threshold values are not within this range you can enter your own custom value by clicking on the dropdown box twice. 
• Click Next.

Step 3. Configuration tab

• Click the dropdown arrows to select the required biodiverse cell size (m). The size of your cell governs the 'group' size. Biodiverse uses this size to collate/bin the values. Note: Generally speaking, you want this cell size to match your SDM resolution. We currently offer a choice between four cell sizes and are working on being able to offer smaller cell sizes. What we currently offer is based on computational limits.
• Click Next.

Step 7: Run tab

• Ensure you are happy with your experiment design.
• If all tabs are green then your experiment is ready to go.
• Click Start Experiment.
• If any of your tabs are red, revisit it and ensure you have filled in each component correctly.

A log file will now be sent to our virtual machines where your experiment will be run. You will receive an email when your results are ready to view. This can be done from the Experiments page. For now, sit back and relax, grab a coffee, or do some other work without being hampered by a slower computer that is running heavy models in the background.