Understanding biodiversity to better preserve it
Client
Biodiversity Monitoring Network of Quebec
Collaborators
MC LEOD Alexandre, DA COSTA Heitor, MAROTTE Pierre-Olivier
Year
2021
Role
Theoretical research, Scenario mapping, User flows, UI design, Data visualization
The Challenge
Lack of knowledge about biodiversity hinders awareness of its importance and slows down preservation efforts
A government report published in 2021 revealed that most Quebecers are unfamiliar with biodiversity and its importance. This lack of understanding is largely due to a lack of education and direct engagement with biodiversity-related issues in people’s daily lives. As part of the Biodiversity Monitoring Program, the Quebec government aimed to raise public awareness about the importance of biodiversity and help scientists and policymakers take more effective action to preserve it.
Step 1
User Research
The first phase of the project was to understand users’ needs in accessing biodiversity indicators. To gather insights, my team and I first conducted a literature review. We also had the opportunity to meet several times with our biology expert, Guillaume Larocque. After gathering all our findings, we synthesized them.
USER GROUPS
Three targeted user groups
Here are the main needs we identified from our research :
Scientists
Access reliable and up-to-date data
Compare biodiversity indicators
Decision-makers
Access pre-interpreted and contextualized data
Understand the relationship between biodiversity and economic activity
General public
Learn in an engaging way about biodiversity
Interact (listen, share, like) with content tailored for low knowledge levels
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The Pressure-State-Response-Benefit (PSRB) Model
While searching for a theoretical foundation for our design, we discovered the Pressure-State-Response-Benefit (PSRB) model, developed in 2011 by American researchers to support biodiversity preservation. It emphasizes the importance of linking biodiversity indicators together to improve understanding and guide conservation decisions. This model formed the basis of our solution.
Pressure-State-Response-Benefit (PSRB) model, SPARKS et all. 2011
CONCEPT
A Three-Level Portal Based on Biodiversity Knowledge
After identifying user needs and gathering our theoretical research, we began developing the solution’s concept. Throughout this process, we kept our main goal in mind: to raise awareness of biodiversity’s importance across all target groups. In other words, we had to ensure that every user could access the information they wanted based on their level of motivation (Kavanagh and Sperano, 2020). This led us to design a three-tiered portal.
Explore
Explore nearby sites and access diverse content (podcasts, videos, blog articles)
Visualize
Multi-layered map with various indicators for precise and dynamic biodiversity data visualization
Analyse
Variable-format data tables for scientists to compare relationships between different indicators
CONCEPT
Scenario Mapping and Sketching
After validating our concept, we created user scenarios for each group. This step helped guide the design of the initial interfaces.
Step 2
Mockups
Once the user experience was validated, we designed the app’s visual style. It followed the stylistic guidelines provided by Biodiversité Québec. As with the rest of the project, aesthetic choices were grounded in theory. With the help of Guillaume, our biology expert, each biodiversity indicator was studied to ensure it was illustrated appropriately based on current scientific standards.
Explore Menu
The Explore Menu was designed as an accessible entry point for users unfamiliar with biodiversity issues. Through three sub-menus — Stories, Species, and Sites — users are free to navigate as they wish: listen to immersive audio stories, discover simplified species profiles, or explore remarkable sites across Quebec. Each section was designed to provide a smooth and engaging experience that supports autonomous learning.
Field Inventories
The interactive map provides access to Biodiversité Québec’s field inventory, showing sampling sites and the data collected, allowing users to explore the ecological richness of specific locations.
Designed as a decision-support tool, it allows land-use planners to consult reliable scientific data about local biodiversity before launching projects.
Each site profile presents observed species and key indicators, along with environmental pressures (urbanization, pollution, habitat fragmentation…) and associated conservation goals.
Species Profile
Species profiles allow everyone to easily explore Quebec’s biodiversity. Each profile includes key data: scientific name, weight, size, diet, habitat, activity period, and geographic distribution across Quebec.
You’ll also find the species’ conservation status, the pressures it faces (habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, etc.), and the preservation goals associated with it.
Indicators
Each site includes several biodiversity indicators (local species data, land use, human impact, etc.). To meet scientists’ needs and follow the PSRB model, each indicator can be extracted and compared to others. Biodiversity experts can then draw insights from how indicators evolve over time.
Biodiversity indicators are presented as educational and visual tables. Some are preconfigured to answer key questions raised by the public — for example, a table on climate change shows projected temperature increases in various regions or changes in the number of endangered species by 2050. These tables make complex data easier to understand and help make ecological issues more tangible.
For users with more specific needs, it’s also possible to create custom tables from a set of available indicators. This advanced feature allows comparisons across sites, variables, or time periods for deeper analysis. These tables can be created directly from the Indicators tab or from site profiles for contextual exploration.
Step 3
Testing and Validation
After designing the main screens of the app, we ensured it was intuitive and clearly communicated the information. We conducted user tests with five participants from both scientific and non-scientific backgrounds. After compiling the results, we made adjustments to address some issues related to understanding and usability.
Project Limitations
The project is still in its early stages. While it already offers a strong foundation for making biodiversity data more accessible and engaging, several areas for improvement have been identified to ensure its long-term relevance.
Need for regular updates
To keep the portal’s content fresh and trustworthy, it will be essential to continuously refresh the content and indicators. These updates will not only capture the latest scientific advancements but also address emerging environmental challenges.
Gaps in current biodiversity documentation
Quebec is home to about 40,000 species, but only 23,454 have been documented, revealing a significant knowledge gap. This gap is further amplified by regional and species-specific variations. To bridge this, ongoing documentation is essential.
Development of indicators aligned with scientific standards
The available indicators are a first step in simplifying our understanding of biodiversity, but there’s still much to be done. Future design and research teams will need to refine the indicators and create new ones that meet current scientific standards.
The challenge of ongoing public awareness
Given the current gaps in public understanding of biodiversity, the portal must accompany its data with ongoing educational efforts to enhance public awareness and encourage citizen engagement with biodiversity-related issues.
Through our research and user testing, one key insight emerged: both scientists and decision-makers need clear, intuitive, and reliable visualization tools for biodiversity indicators. Scientists, in particular, highlighted how these tools could save them valuable time in their work. It was truly rewarding for my team and me to contribute to this project and support such an important cause.
