Screenshots of its field guide function
NOAH (Networked Organisms And Habitat) is a tool for people interested in their local wildlife. The infrastructure contains an Iphone application with which you can photograph any species that you come across.
Just add a few tags and a short description and it will be uploaded to a database, including the location it was taken. Wildlife experts can add information on the species documented. A map view allows the application to be used as a field guide so you can explore what kind of species can be found around you. Organizations and research groups can also start missions that request for specific species to be documented.
This project demonstrates some interesting possibilities of iphone apps as a platform to stimulate a decentralized administration of biodiversity. Although the database is currently far from comprehensive, it definitely has potential and will grow with time. The extra input of wildlife experts functions as a great incentive for interested people to learn more about the species around them.
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One Comment so far. Leave a comment below.An update from Project Noah:
Fellow Nature Lovers,
We want to thank you for your support of Project Noah. Even though the project is still in its infancy, we’ve received tremendous feedback thus far and are amassing an impressive collection of wildlife encounters from across the planet. Recently, we’ve seen wild mushrooms from Central Park, a goanna from Australia, a coatamundi from Cancun, and even a leopard from Africa, to name a few. New surprises keep coming in every day.
From the start, Project Noah has been all about celebrating our planet’s biodiversity and in honor of Earth Day, we’re launching the Earth Week 2010 field mission. For 7 days, we’re rallying our community to get outside and document encounters with nature. We’re hoping that together we can help inspire awareness and appreciation for Earth’s environment. We hope you’ll join us on this mission!
You can follow along here: Earth Week 2010
Also, make sure to check out Project Noah in the “What’s Hot” category of the iTunes App Store this week alongside other awesome earth-friendly apps.
Best regards,
Team Noah