Building Biodiversity Champions: nCount Training for Advanced Ecological Monitoring
16.02.24
On 15 February 2024, a specialised physical training programme on inventory mapping was conducted at Vasundhara’s office in Jashipur, Mayurbhanj district, Odisha. The session was centred around the use of the nCount platform, integrated with Open Data Kit (ODK) Collect, to enhance local ecological monitoring practices.
About the Event
The training aimed to equip both Vasundhara staff and community volunteers with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in inventory mapping. By demonstrating the combined use of nCount and ODK Collect, the session illuminated the importance of inventory mapping and its potential applications in ecological conservation and resource management.
Aim
Five Programme Assistants from diverse districts—including Mayurbhanj, Deoghar, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, and Sambalpur—participated in the programme, showcasing a commitment to inclusivity and collaborative learning.
After completing the registration process, which required internet connectivity, the participants proceeded to a nearby forest for a hands-on field exercise. This practical session demonstrated the efficiency and user-friendliness of the nCount-facilitated data collection process.
The next phase of the training, conducted in Suanpal village in Jashipur block, further accentuated the advantages of inventory mapping. Dialogues with Vasundhara staff centred on the strategic use of nCount technology for bolstering future conservation and resource management projects. This was particularly relevant given the village’s attainment of the Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) title in 2014 and the ongoing efforts to establish a Community Forest Resource Management Committee (CFRMC)—reflecting a forward-looking approach to leveraging nCount for tangible community and ecological outcomes.
Approach
nCount is a technological innovation that advances ecological knowledge and promotes the sustainable stewardship of natural resources. It combines gamification, remote sensing, and computer vision to create an interactive platform that revitalises biodiversity data collection.
The incorporation of remote sensing technology within nCount enables real-time observation and analysis of ecosystems, offering indispensable insights for conservation efforts. Moreover, computer vision substantially improves the accuracy of species identification and population monitoring, thereby deepening the collective understanding of biodiversity dynamics. In essence, nCount not only accelerates biodiversity research but also strengthens governance models dedicated to the sustainable management of natural resources.
Expanding its application beyond traditional forest ecosystems, nCount integrates visual object recognition modules with environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding—where DNA stands for ‘deoxyribonucleic acid’. This innovative combination streamlines the assessment, evaluation, and monitoring of natural ecosystems, enhancing the platform’s capacity to support comprehensive ecological studies and effective conservation strategies.