Species+ - UNEP-WCMC's global species protection app

Easily accessible database for public authorities with over 38,000 endangered species

Govt&Adm
Mobile
UK

Project Overview

Species+, the mobile app developed by Atta Systems for the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, was created to complement the existing Species+ website. This app provides real-time data on nearly 40,000 species, aiding conservationists, researchers, and policymakers in their efforts to protect biodiversity.

Context

Species+ is an initiative spearheaded by the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) in collaboration with the CITES Secretariat. Launched in 2013, the project aims to support the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) such as CITES and CMS by providing authoritative and centralized information on over 38,000 species. The issue of species conservation is crucial for global biodiversity, and accurate, accessible data is essential for effective policy and decision-making. This collaborative effort involves countless individual scientists and numerous organizations, highlighting the importance of collective action in preserving our planet's biodiversity.

Impact

Impact

Challenges

While developing the Species+ mobile app, we encountered several key challenges:

  • Species Search Functionality: Implementing an efficient and accurate species search system that filters data based on conventions (CITES or CMS) and geographical locations. Ensuring the search feature can handle complex queries and display relevant results quickly.
  • Comprehensive Species Information: Displaying detailed legal, geographic, and taxonomic information for each species while maintaining user-friendly navigation. Incorporating real-time updates and historical data without overwhelming users with excessive details.
  • Offline Access: Developing robust offline capabilities to allow users to access previously viewed species information without an internet connection. Ensuring data synchronization and updates when the user reconnects to the internet.
  • Data Integration: Integrating and synchronizing large volumes of data from various sources, including CITES, CMS, and EU Wildlife Trade Regulations, while ensuring accuracy and consistency.
  • Mobile App Performance: Optimizing app performance to handle extensive data efficiently and provide a seamless user experience, particularly in offline mode.
  • User Experience: Designing an intuitive user interface that simplifies navigation and data access, considering users with varying levels of technical expertise. Providing features like search history and bookmarks while keeping the app responsive and easy to use.

Solution

We developed the Species+ mobile app to enhance the implementation of CITES, CMS, and other multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) by providing critical species information directly to users in the field. Our solution includes a robust and user-friendly mobile app that offers three main features: species search, detailed species information, and offline access.

Species search function

The app's speciees search functionality allows users to quickly locate information by filtering data based on conventions and geographical locations, ensuring they can find relevant data efficiently. Each species page delivers comprehensive details, including legal status, geographic distribution, and taxonomic classifications, aligned with the latest updates from CITES, CMS, and EU regulations.

Information for each species:
The app provides comprehensive and organized information for each species, ensuring users can easily navigate and access critical details. Each species or subspecies page is meticulously structured to include:

  • Legal Information: This section outlines the species' status under CITES and CMS, detailing Appendix listings, quotas, trade suspensions, and EU regulations. Users can view the most current legal information and access historical data where relevant.
  • Geographic Distribution: Users can explore the species' geographical presence at the country and territory level. This feature helps in understanding the species' range and the conservation measures applicable in different regions.
  • Taxonomy and Names: This section lists the species' scientific taxonomy, common names, and synonyms, providing a complete view of the species' classification and nomenclature.

Offline access
Recognizing the need for accessibility in various conditions, we implemented offline capabilities so users can access previously viewed species information without an internet connection. The app synchronizes with the cloud to update data whenever an internet connection is available, ensuring users always have the most current information.

Species search function

The app's speciees search functionality allows users to quickly locate information by filtering data based on conventions and geographical locations, ensuring they can find relevant data efficiently. Each species page delivers comprehensive details, including legal status, geographic distribution, and taxonomic classifications, aligned with the latest updates from CITES, CMS, and EU regulations.

Information for each species:
The app provides comprehensive and organized information for each species, ensuring users can easily navigate and access critical details. Each species or subspecies page is meticulously structured to include:

  • Legal Information: This section outlines the species' status under CITES and CMS, detailing Appendix listings, quotas, trade suspensions, and EU regulations. Users can view the most current legal information and access historical data where relevant.
  • Geographic Distribution: Users can explore the species' geographical presence at the country and territory level. This feature helps in understanding the species' range and the conservation measures applicable in different regions.
  • Taxonomy and Names: This section lists the species' scientific taxonomy, common names, and synonyms, providing a complete view of the species' classification and nomenclature.

Offline access
Recognizing the need for accessibility in various conditions, we implemented offline capabilities so users can access previously viewed species information without an internet connection. The app synchronizes with the cloud to update data whenever an internet connection is available, ensuring users always have the most current information.

User Flows

For each flow in Species+, we develop user flow diagrams just like this one to help us understand what the optimal user journey looks like.

For each flow in Medicai, we develop user flow diagrams just like this one to help us understand what the optimal user journey looks like.

Design System

The Species+ Design System provides a unified component base for both designers and developers to ensure consistency throughout all products.

The Medicai Design System provides a unified component base for both designers and developers to ensure consistency throughout all products.

DICOM Viewer

Medicai's DICOM viewer supports all imaging types, provides efficient storage, and allows seamless access to medical images from any device, including mobile ones through the Medicai Mobile app, enhancing real-time collaboration and patient care.

Below you can play with Medicai’s DICOM Viewer directly embeded in our website. Inside the viewer, you can see a MRI imaging study.

Impact

Services

Product Design

User research: We analyzed existing tools and systems to gain insights into the requirements and pain points that guided the design of the Species+ app.

User experience: We crafted intuitive user journeys to ensure that navigating the Species+ app is both efficient and effective. This involved designing workflows that streamline the process of searching for species, accessing detailed information, and utilizing offline capabilities. The goal was to create a seamless experience that supports users in their conservation efforts with minimal friction.

User interface: We ensured UI consistency with the Species+ website to provide a cohesive experience across platforms. The app’s visual design aligns with the website’s branding and design system, maintaining a consistent look and feel.

Engineering (Software Dev, AI) & QA

Frontend Development: Used React Native and Expo for the mobile app, integrated Firebase (analytics, Crashlytics), connected with existing backend infrastructure, and Microsoft AppCenter CodePush for real-time updates.

Quality Assurance: Provided QA services and continuous monitoring to ensure app reliability.

Infrastructure (DevOps)

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