Guide

How to use Biohotspot

Two and a half minutes, from the world’s ocean data to a recommended plan and your own project, shown on the example project Exmouth Gulf. Watch the walkthrough, then try it yourself.

Jump to:
  1. 00 · Start

    Open the map

    • Biohotspot opens on the world's ocean, coloured by how hard people press on it.
    • Choose where to start: explore the global data, open the example project, or set up your own project area.

    You get: A sense of where the project area sits, and about 1,600 world maps to explore.

    Biohotspot: Open the map
  2. 01 · See

    Tap the sea to see what is there

    • Tap anywhere on the sea, or choose Draw an area at the top left to outline a shape.
    • Open a category, and press the layer icon on any row to put it on the map.

    You get: Every layer with data at that spot, in five categories: Habitat, Biodiversity, Driver / Pressure, Ecosystem service and Protection.

    Biohotspot: Tap the sea to see what is there
  3. 02 · Understand

    Make it a zone and assess it

    • Press Plan this area on the card. Nothing is calculated until you do.
    • Change the radius with the slider if you need a bigger or smaller zone.

    You get: What lives in the zone, who uses it, what is already protected, and how far each habitat is from its protection target.

    Biohotspot: Make it a zone and assess it
  4. 03 · Simulate

    Let Biohotspot try the options

    • Open Simulate and press Run the options. Biohotspot tries about 20 options in about a minute: protect the zone, leave it open, or let it design the zones, at different targets.
    • Try your own option underneath if you want a particular zone type or setting.

    You get: Every option kept as evidence, drawn on the map and scored.

    Biohotspot: Let Biohotspot try the options
  5. 04 · Advise

    Get the recommendation and the report

    • Open Advise when it shows ready.
    • Save the scenario, copy a share link, email it, or export the PDF report.

    You get: The recommended option, why it beats the others, what is still missing, and the targets that apply to the area.

    Biohotspot: Get the recommendation and the report
  6. 05 · Your project

    Set up your own project area

    • Open the project menu at the top and choose New project area. Draw it, name it, and press Set as project area.
    • Open Project details for its data health, the gaps and your team. Under Data check, add your own data as a file or a link.

    You get: A check of which data exists in your area and which is missing, your own data on the map, and a team to share it with.

    Biohotspot: Set up your own project area
  7. ✦ · Any time

    Ask Biohotspot

    • Type in the box under every step, in your own words, or press a suggestion.
    • Try: Show seagrass and mangroves together · Which important data is missing here? · Explain the recommended option · Make the PDF report.

    You get: Answers drawn from the results on screen; Biohotspot can also turn on layers, pick an area and run the simulations for you.

    Biohotspot: Ask Biohotspot

Ready to try it?

Enter your email to open the map. No password is needed while Biohotspot is in beta. On a phone, Biohotspot shows you the first steps as you go.