RShiny LifeWatch Data Explorer: Manual

The Rshiny LifeWatch Data Explorer has been developed by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) in 2015-2016. This interactive online tool gives access to all sensor data collected in the framework of the Flemish LifeWatch project, and provides an interface to explore and analyze these data. Some of the more recent data is temporarily under moratorium and therefore protected by password access.

The Data Explorer is built using RShiny server, Leaflet, ggplot2, PLotly, Dygraph and DataTables. The system is able to query MSSQL, PostgreSQL, Geoserver (WFS) and MongoDB servers.

Within the LifeWatch Data Explorer, 5 general sections are available to explore, plot, visualize and download data:

A5. Plots

Several thematic portals have been set up as part of the Data Explorer:

B7. CPOD Data Explorer

This manual offers a detailed overview of the functionalities within the 5 sections in general, followed by an explanation of some more specific functionalities for each of the thematic portals.

A. General sections in the LifeWatch Data Explorer

A1. Data source

The “Data source” section offers information about the provided data, an overview of the available columns in the data table and a summary statistics table. Also, this section allows the user to define several query options, data options and filter options, hereby remodeling the loaded data table. Finally the user can download the loaded data table.

Figure 1 – Screenshot of the Data source section (example for the underway data explorer)

Figure 1 – Screenshot of the “Data source” section (example for the underway data explorer)

A1.1. Available columns

Here, you get an explanation of the columns available in the data table. Depending on the Data options you choose (see further), more column names will be visible.

A1.2. Summary statistics

The summary statistics table gives an overview of the statistics for each column. For numerical columns, the minimum (Min.), first quartile (1st Qu.), median, mean, third quartile (3rd Qu.) and maximum (Max.) values are given. For non-numerical columns, a summary of the column scores is given.

Depending on the Data options you choose (see further), additional columns will be added to the summary statistics.

A1.3. Loaded data and Project name

The size of the data table (rows x columns) that is currently loaded is shown in the upper right corner of each section in the data explorer.

The “Project Name” free text field below this offers the possibility to name your current selection.

A1.4. Query options

The Query options menu allows you to redefine the loaded data table. You can specify the time frame for which you want to explore the data.

Some of the portals have additional, specific query options, which are explained further below.

Click on RELOAD once you have set the query options.

A1.5. Data options

The Data options menu allows you to add columns with calculated data to the currently loaded data table. These additional columns contain values that are derived from or related to the original data. Examples of the calculated data:

  • Coastal tide: Water level in cm TAW measured in Ostend at specified time (data from Meetnet Vlaamse Banken).
  • Offshore tide: Water level in cm TAW measured at Westhinder at specified time (data from Meetnet Vlaamse Banken).
  • Tide: Water level in m, level TAW measured in Ostend at specified time.
  • Year: Date-time derived integer year value YYYY.
  • Month: Date-time derived integer month value M (1-12).
  • Week: Date-time derived integer week value (1-52).
  • Weekday: Date-time derived integer weekday value (1-7).
  • DOY: Date-time derived integer day of the year (1-365).
  • Hour: Date-time derived integer hour day of the year (0-23).
  • Sun: Solar angle (based on sunAngle from oce package).
  • Moon: Fraction of moon’s visible disk that is illuminated (based on oce package and Meeus [1982]).
  • Landcover: Land cover or land use description as defined in CORINE Land Cover database.
  • Clc_code: Land cover or land use code as defined in CORINE Land Cover database.

Click on CALCULATE once you’ve selected the calculated data to add as additional columns.

A1.6. Filter options

The Filter options menu allows you to make a more detailed selection of the values you want to retain in the loaded data table. Several pick lists, sliders and maps are available to refine your selection (Figure 2).

Figure 2 – Overview of the filter options for the parameters in the underway data explorer (both default parameters as calculated data parameters).

Figure 2 – Overview of the filter options for the parameters in the underway data explorer (both default parameters as calculated data parameters).

A1.7. Download

The data table that is currently loaded can be obtained in a tab-delimited format by clicking on the DOWNLOAD button below the summary statistics table. The offered .tab file can be opened with any random text editor or spreadsheet software. The file will be named based on the project name given in the provided Project name free text field.

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A2. Map

After you selected the Query options, Data options, and Filter options in the “Data source” section, you can go to the “Map” section in the data explorer to visualize the data on a map.

Figure 3 – Screenshot of the Map section (example for the Underway Data Explorer)

Figure 3 – Screenshot of the “Map” section (example for the Underway Data Explorer)

A2.1. Map

You can zoom in and out on the map, by using the + and – icons in the upper left corner of the map, or by scrolling with your cursor.

You can choose several backgrounds for your map by clicking on the layers icon in the upper right corner of the map: OSM (default), WorldImagery, Toner, Toner Lite, and Acetate.

You can select or deselect several layers in the map by clicking in the layers icon in the upper right corner of the map: Navigation, Sandbanks, Raster, Stations, Extra, and DataZoom.

A2.2. Filter options

The Filter options menu allows you to make a more detailed selection of the values you want to retain in the loaded data table.

In case filter options were previously chosen in the “Data source” section, these will also show in the “Map” section and can still be changed here if necessary.

A2.3. Plot options

The Plot options menu allows you to choose different ways of plotting the data on a map:

  • Clusters: will create cluster dots on the map grouping several data points.
  • Positions: will plot all individual positions of the data points as dots on the map.
  • Raster: will rasterize the data points and color the grid cells based on the values of the selected parameters.
  • Points: will create dots from the data points and color the dots based on the values of the selected parameters.

For each plot type, you can set several corresponding parameters by means of pick lists and sliders (see Figure 4).

Figure 4 – Map plot options for the underway data explorer

Figure 4 – Map plot options for the underway data explorer

Click on ZOOM TO DATA once you have specified the plot settings.

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A3. Data table

After selecting the Query options, Data options, and Filter options in the “Data source” section, you can go to the “Data table” section to see the entire data table. The size of the data table (rows x columns) is shown in the upper right corner of the explorer.

Figure 5 – Screenshot of the Data table section (example for the Underway Data Explorer)

Figure 5 – Screenshot of the “Data table” section (example for the Underway Data Explorer)

You can sort each column in the data table in ascending or descending order by clicking on the double arrows (↓↑) next to the column headers. You can add or delete columns to/from the table by clicking on Hide/show, and then select or deselect columns. Hidden columns can be seen by clicking on the green plus on the left of the table.

A3.1. Filter options

The Filter options menu allows you to make a more detailed selection of the values you want to retain in the loaded data table.

In case filter options were previously chosen in the “Data source” section, these will also show in the “Data Table” section and can still be changed here if necessary.

A3.2. Plot options

The Plot options menu allows you to choose between showing 100, 500 or 1000 records on 1 page.

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A4. Time plots

After you selected the Query options, Data options, and Filter options in the “Data source” section, you can go to the “Time plots” section to plot the parameters against time.

Figure 6 – Screenshot of the Time plots section (example for the Underway Data Explorer)

Figure 6 – Screenshot of the “Time plots” section (example for the Underway Data Explorer)

A4.1. Graph

You can delimit the visualized time period by using the sliders below the graph.

Hovering over the data points will display more information on the exact datetime and value in the right upper part of the graph.

For graphs with many data points you can choose to work with rolling averages. Default the rolling average is set to 1. You can change this in the lower left corner of the graph.

A4.2. Filter options

The Filter options menu allows you to make a more detailed selection of the values you want to retain in the loaded data table.

In case filter options were previously chosen in the “Data source” section, these will also show in the “Time plots” section and can still be changed here if necessary.

A4.3. Plot options

Several options are available for plotting the data:

  • Parameter: Choose from the picklist which column is to be plotted as a parameter on the Y axis of the time plot.
  • Series: Choose from the picklist which column can represent separate lines or data series in the plot.
  • Bottom plot parameter: You can generate a second time plot below the first one. Choose from the picklist which column is to be plotted as a parameter on the Y axis of the second time plot.

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A5. Plots

After you selected the Query options, Data options, and Filter options in the “Data source” section, you can go to the “Plots” section to plot the data in several ways.

Figure 7 – Screenshot of the Plots section (example for the Underway Data Explorer)

Figure 7 – Screenshot of the “Plots” section (example for the Underway Data Explorer)

A5.1. Plot

If you hover over the plot with your cursor, you will see some icons in the upper right corner of the plot:

From left to right, these will enable you to:

  • Download plot as a png
  • Save and edit plot in cloud
  • Zoom
  • Pan
  • Zoom in
  • Zoom out
  • Autoscale
  • Reset axes
  • Show closest data on hover
  • Compare data on hover
  • Produced with Plotly (redirects to https://plot.ly/)

A5.2. Filter options

The Filter options menu allows you to make a more detailed selection of the values you want to retain in the loaded data table.

In case filter options were previously chosen in the “Data source” section, these will also show in the “Plots” section and can still be changed here if necessary.

A5.3. Plot options

Library: Choose from the picklist if you want to use the Plotly or ggplot library.

Plottype: Several options are available to plot the data:

  • Scatter: Choose this option to show the relationship between two columns (parameters) as a graph of plotted points.
  • scatter+regression: Choose this option to show the relationship between two columns (parameters) as a graph of plotted points, and to show the trend line (based on linear regression).
  • scatter+clustering: Choose this option to show the relationship between two columns (parameters) as a graph of plotted points, and to see which groups or clusters can be identified (based on cluster analysis).
  • Box: Choose this option to render a box plot graph, showing the minimum, first quartile, median, third quartile, and maximum of the data.
  • Histogram: Choose this option to group the data into ranges, and then plot as bars.
  • Bar: Choose this option to plot the data in rectangular bars, to show how large each value is.

Parameter: Choose from the picklist which column can be plotted as a parameter on the Y axis of the plot.

Series: Choose from the picklist which column can represent separate lines or data series in the plot.

Xaxis parameter: Choose from the picklist which column can be plotted as a parameter on the X axis of the plot.

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B. Thematic portals in the LifeWatch Data explorer

B1. Underway Data Explorer

The Underway Data Explorer enables the user to explore data collected by the MIDAS underway continuous sampling system on board of the RV Zeeleeuw and RV Simon Stevin. MIDAS stands for Marine Information and Data Acquisition System, and was developed at the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) to plan the cruises of the RV Zeeleeuw initially, and later of its successor RV Simon Stevin, to register the research activities during these cruises and to capture navigational, meteorological and oceanographic parameters while underway.

The underway data has been collected by VLIZ since 2001, during an average of 150 sampling campaigns per year.

All general functionalities (Data source, Map, Data table, Time plots and Plots), as described in sections A1-A5 of this manual, are available within the Underway Data Explorer. Below you will find an explanation of some additional functionalities specific for this portal.

Due to the high spatial and temporal resolution of the underway data, loading these data for longer time periods can be difficult and take time.

Data source

Available columns (8) in the default summary statistics table:

  • Time: Date-time of the (beginning of the) event in UTC.
  • Latitude: Center latitude in decimal degrees, WGS84.
  • Longitude: Center longitude in decimal degrees, WGS84.
  • Temperature: Water temperature in degrees Celsius (°C).
  • Salinity: Salinity in Practical Salinity Unit (PSU).
  • Conductivity: Conductivity in siemens per meter (S/m).
  • Depth: Bottom depth to surface from echosounder 200Hz in meter (m).
  • ChlorophylA: Based on fluorescence, in microgram per liter (µg/l).

Query options: Next to time frame, it is also possible to select the sample period: 1 min, 10 min, 60 min, and 1 day.

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B2. Station Data Explorer

The Station Data Explorer enables the user to explore station data (MIDAS, CTD, water samples) collected during the MIDAS and LifeWatch monthly sampling campaigns on RV Zeeleeuw and RV Simon Stevin. Data is collected on 9 onshore stations and 8 offshore stations, distributed over the Belgian part of the North Sea, since 2001, on a monthly basis,

MIDAS stands for Marine Information and Data Acquisition System, and was developed at VLIZ to plan the cruises of the RV Zeeleeuw initially, and later of its successor RV Simon Stevin, to register the research activities during these cruises and to capture navigational, meteorological and oceanographic parameters while underway.

Next to the usual CTD sensors (conductivity, temperature and pressure), the VLIZ CTD contains a number of additional sensors that measure the following chemical/biological parameters: photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pCO2, acidity and oxidation reduction potential (ORP).

All water samples are collected at three meters water depth with Niskin bottles attached to the CTD carousel. For nutrients, around 200ml of water is filtered over a 0.2 um cellulose-acetate filter. Analyses on the filtered water are performed in cooperation with the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) who determines ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, silica and phosphate abundance in the water. For pigments, as much water as possible is filtered over a GFF Watmann filter which will retain pigments. Filters are frozen at liquid nitrogen and analyzed in collaboration with the Protistology & Aquatic Ecology research group of Ghent University (PAE Ugent). For Suspended matter a one liter container is filled with water and sent to the “Vlaamse Milieu Maatschappij” (VMM) for analysis.

All general functionalities (Data source, Map, Data table, Time plots and Plots), as described in sections A1-A5 of this manual, are available within the Station Data Explorer. Below you will find an explanation of some additional functionalities specific for this portal.

Data source

Available columns (44) in the default summary statistics table:

MIDAS data (5):

  • Station: Station code, refers to a certain latitude and longitude, which are fixed points on which samples were taken.
  • Time: Date-time of the (beginning of the) event in UTC.
  • Latitude: Center latitude in decimal degrees, WGS84.
  • Longitude: Center longitude in decimal degrees, WGS84.
  • Midastripactionid: Unique identifier for action (e.g. net deployment, ctd cast, etc…) on ship.

CTD data (6):

  • Conductivity (mS/cm): Conductivity in milli siemens per centimeter (mS/cm).
  • Density (kg/m3): Ratio of water mass to volume in kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m3).
  • Pressure (db): Hydrostatic pressure in decibars (dbar).
  • Salinity (PSU): Salinity in Practical Salinity Unit (PSU).
  • Sound Velocity (m/s): Speed of sound through water in meter per second (m/s).
  • Temperature (degC): Water temperature in degrees Celsius (°C).

Nutrient concentrations (6):

Nutrients contain any material that organisms take in and assimilate for growth and maintenance. From seawater, most important nutrients are ammonium, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates and silicates.

  • Ammonium_NH4 (µmol N_NH4/L): Concentration of the nutrient ammonium in micromole per liter.
  • Nitrate_Nitrite (µmol N_NO3-NO2/L): Concentration of the nutrient relation nitrate to nitrite in micromole per liter.
  • Nitrite_NO2 (µmol N_NO2/L): Concentration of the nutrient nitrite in micromole per liter.
  • Nitrate_NO3 (µmol N_NO3/L): Concentration of the nutrient nitrate in micromole per liter.
  • Phosphate_PO4 (µmol P_PO4/L): Concentration of the nutrient phosphate in micromole per liter.
  • Silicate_SiO4 (µmol Si_SiO4/L):Concentration of the nutrient silicate in micromole per liter.

Pigment concentrations (25):

Several types of pigments are known of which most common are chlorophylls and carotenoids. Pigments are important in marine life for the important contribution to photosynthesis. Pigments are often used as a proxy to calculate phytoplankton biomass. Phytoplankton consists of organisms from bacteria to diatoms and large dinoflagellates.

  • 19But_Fucoxanthin (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment 19But_Fucoxanthin in microgram per liter.
  • 19Hex_Fucoxanthin (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment 19Hex_Fucoxanthin in microgram per liter.
  • Alloxanthin (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Alloxanthin in microgram per liter.
  • Antheraxanthin (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Antheraxanthin in microgram per liter.
  • Anthoxanthin (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Anthoxanthin in microgram per liter.
  • Beta_Carotene (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Beta_Carotene in microgram per liter.
  • Chlorophyll_a (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Chlorophyll_a in microgram per liter.
  • Chlorophyll_b (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Chlorophyll_b in microgram per liter.
  • Chlorophyll_c2 (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Chlorophyll_c2 in microgram per liter.
  • Chlorophyll_c2c1 (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Chlorophyll_c2c1 in microgram per liter.
  • Chlorophyll_c3 (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Chlorophyll_c3 in microgram per liter.
  • Chlorophyllide_a (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Chlorophyllide_a in microgram per liter.
  • Diadinoxanthin (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Diadinoxanthin in microgram per liter.
  • Diatoxanthin (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Diatoxanthin in microgram per liter.
  • Echinenone (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Echinenone in microgram per liter.
  • Fucoxanthin (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Fucoxanthin in microgram per liter.
  • Lutein (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Lutein in microgram per liter.
  • Neoxanthin (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Neoxanthin in microgram per liter.
  • Peridinin (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Peridinin in microgram per liter.
  • Pheophorbide_a (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Pheophorbide_a in microgram per liter.
  • Pheophytin_a (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Pheophytin_a in microgram per liter.
  • Pheophytin_b (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Pheophytin_b in microgram per liter.
  • Prasinoxanthin (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Prasinoxanthin in microgram per liter.
  • Violaxanthin (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Violaxanthin in microgram per liter.
  • Zeaxanthin (µg/l): Concentration of the pigment Zeaxanthin in microgram per liter.

Suspended matter (2):

  • Secchi_Depth (cm): Water transparency measured using secchi disk in centimeters (cm).
  • SPM (mg/l):Suspended particulate matter is the dry-weight of particles in seawater trapped by a filter.

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B3. Zooplankton Data Explorer

The Zooplankton Data Explorer enables the user to explore data on zooplankton groups collected during the LifeWatch monthly sampling campaigns on RV Zeeleeuw and RV Simon Stevin.

Zooplankton has been sampled by vertical WP2 net tows since 2012 on a monthly basis. Afterwards the zooplankton samples are scanned with the ZooScan (at the Marine Station Ostend), and identified with plankton analyser software, followed by manual validation.

All general functionalities (Data source, Map, Data table, Time plots and Plots), as described in sections A1-A5 of this manual, are available within the Zooplankton Data Explorer. Below you will find an explanation of some additional functionalities specific for this portal.

Data source

Available columns (12) in the default summary statistics table:

  • Longitude: Center longitude in decimal degrees, WGS84.
  • Latitude: Center latitude in decimal degrees, WGS84.
  • Tripaction: Unique identifier for actions (e.g. WP2, CTDcast, Niskin bottles, etc.) taken on the ship.
  • Fraction: In case subsampling occurred, this number indicates the fraction that was processed as a subsample.
  • Time: Date-time of the (beginning of the) event in UTC.
  • Station: Station code, refers to a certain latitude and longitude, which are fixed points on which samples were taken.
  • Count: Actual number of plankton particles counted on a scan, without taking fraction or volume of filtered water into account.
  • VolumeM: Measured volume of water, in m³, based on current meter.
  • VolumeE: Estimated volume of water, in m³, based on depth.
  • Species: Taxonomic group of organisms or group of artifacts.
  • Grouptype: Scanned particles can be grouped into clusters: “taxon”" for species, “other”" for all non-biological critter like sand, plastics, etc.
  • Density: Amount of plankton particles of specific group per volume of water filtered (particles/m³).

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B4. GPS Bird Tracking Data Explorer

The GPS Bird Tracking Data Explorer enables the user to explore data from the LifeWatch bird tracking project, collected by stations in Ostend, Zeebrugge and Vlissingen. The LifeWatch bird tracking project is a collaboration between the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Ghent University, the University of Antwerp, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and the University of Amsterdam (UvA).

GPS bird tracking data has been collected since June 2013.

All general functionalities (Data source, Map, Data table, Time plots and Plots), as described in sections A1-A5 of this manual, are available within the GPS Bird Tracking Data Explorer. Below you will find an explanation of some additional functionalities specific for this portal.

Data source

Available columns (10) in the default summary statistics table:

  • Code: Code of device on / in individual.
  • Time: Date-time of the (beginning of the) event in UTC.
  • Species: HG=Herring Gull , LBB=Lesser Black Backed Gull, MH=Marshal Harrier.
  • Longitude: Center longitude in decimal degrees, WGS84.
  • Latitude: Center latitude in decimal degrees, WGS84.
  • Tracklength: Length of the track in meters.
  • Maxdist: Maximum distance from nest.
  • Tracktime: Length of the track in hours.
  • Counts: Total GPS fixes or detections.
  • Logcounts: Log(counts).

Query options:

Next to time frame, it is also possible to specify the sample period: 1 min, 10 min, 60 min, 1 day, and 1 week. You can also use the query options to restrict data to several birds or species (HG=Herring Gull, LBB=Lesser Black Backed Gull, MH=Marsh Harrier).

Login:

Some project data is under moratorium, login to get full access.

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B5. Fish Telemetry Data Explorer

The Fish Telemetry Data Explorer enables the user to explore data from several INBO and LifeWatch acoustic fish telemetry projects on the Belgian coast, Schelde, Maas and other rivers. The LifeWatch fish telemetry project is a collaboration between the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Ghent University, and the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ).

Fish telemetry data has been collected since January 2011.

All general functionalities (Data source, Map, Data table, Time plots and Plots), as described in sections A1-A5 of this manual, are available within the Fish Telemetry Data Explorer. Below you will find an explanation of some additional functionalities specific for this portal.

Data source

Possible calculations:

  • Time bins: Groups detections by tag (code), receiver (station) and sampling frequency.
  • Residencies: Groups detections by period spent at each receiver and sampling frequency.
  • Active network: List of active deployments, in which case time =start of deployment.

Available columns (11) in the default summary statistics table:

  • Counts: Total GPS fixes or detections.
  • Species: Species name according to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS).
  • Project: Project in charge of receiver deployments.
  • Network: The network of receiver or antenna deployments.
  • Time: Date-time of the (beginning of the) event in UTC.
  • Longitude: Center longitude in decimal degrees, WGS84.
  • Latitude: Center latitude in decimal degrees, WGS84.
  • Station: Station code or receiver code.
  • Receiver: A unique code to identify a receiver.
  • Code: Code of device on / in individual.
  • Moratorium: Some data fields are masked, pending official data publication. e.g. Species name.

Query options:

Next to time frame, it is also possible to specify the sample period: 1 min, 60 min, 1 day, and 1 week.

Through the query options you can also restrict the fish telemetry data to several networks: Dijle, Thorntonbank, LifeWatch, Leopoldkanaal, Zeeschelde, Westerschelde, Demer, Noordzee, Bovenschelde, Maas Nederland, and Albertkanaal.

The fish telemetry data can also be restricted to several projects: Leopoldkanaal 2012, PhD Jan Reubens, LifeWatch, Albertkanaal 2013, Bovenschelde 2011, Demer 2014, Dijle 2015 and Zeeschelde 2015.

Furthermore you can select what needs to be calculated (time bins, residencies or active network).

Log in:

Some project data is under moratorium, login to get full access.

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B6. Bat recorder Data Explorer

The Bat recorder Data Explorer enables the user to explore data from the LifeWatch acoustic sensor network for bat detection.

The omnidirectional bat recorder (ecoObs BatCorder) captures ultrasonic sound with a sampling rate of 500 kHz at 16 bit in the frequency range of 16 to 150 kHz. Powering the device is done using batteries and solar panels. The bat recorder is able to recognize bat calls from environmental noise in real-time and records these call sequences. These recordings are analyzed using software algorithms that classify the calls according to the bat species, genus or higher taxonomic group that produced the calls. The bat recorder is scheduled to measure continuously and its recordings are stored in a database.

Currently, data is available of two bat recorders: (1) one at the premises of the Marine Station Ostend (MSO), near the dunes of the right bank of the Ostend harbor entrance (installed in March 2014); and (2) one on one of the C-power wind turbines (installed in October 2014).

All general functionalities (Data source, Map, Data table, Time plots and Plots), as described in sections A1-A5 of this manual, are available within the Bat recorder Data Explorer. Below you will find an explanation of some additional functionalities specific for this portal.

Data source

Available columns (7) in the default summary statistics table:

  • Counts: Total GPS fixes or detections.
  • Calls: Total number of calls.
  • Species: Species, genus or other group.
  • Probability: Probability for a correct identification by BatIdent software. “High” means higher than or equal to 0.9, “Low” means smaller than 0.9.
  • Time: Date-time of the (beginning of the) event in UTC.
  • Latitude: Center latitude in decimal degrees, WGS84.
  • Longitude: Center longitude in decimal degrees, WGS84.

Query options:

Next to time frame, it is also possible to specify the sample period: 1 min, 60 min, and 1 day.

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B7. CPOD Data Explorer

The CPOD Data Explorer enables the user to explore data from the LifeWatch cetacean passive acoustic network. Acoustic marine mammal data has been collected by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) since 2014.

All general functionalities (Data source, Map, Data table, Time plots and Plots), as described in sections A1-A5 of this manual, are available within the CPOD Data Explorer. Below you will find an explanation of some additional functionalities specific for this portal.

Data source

Possible calculations:

  • Time bins: Groups detections by receiver (station) and sampling frequency.
  • Residencies: Groups detections by period spent at each receiver and sampling frequency.
  • Active network: List of active deployments, in which case time =start of deployment.

Available columns (12) in the default summary statistics table:

  • Time: Time in UTC, beginning of sample time period.
  • Longitude: Center longitude in decimal degrees, WGS84.
  • Latitude: Center latitude in decimal degrees, WGS84.
  • Species: NBHF = Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena).
  • Station: Station code or receiver code.
  • Recorded: Minutes recording.
  • Dpm: Detection positive minutes, or a mammal was detected in that minute.
  • Dp10m: Detection positive 10 minutes, or a mammal was detected in these 10 minutes.
  • Dph: Detection positive hours, or a mammal was detected in that hour.
  • Milliseconds: Duration of click trains.
  • Number_clicks_filtered: Recognized clicks of a species.
  • Number_clicks_total: Total number of recorded clicks.

Query options:

It is possible to specify the time frame, as well as sample period: 1 min, 60 min, 1 day, and 1 week. The Quality query allows to select Hi, Mod, Lo quality or a combination of these.

Furthermore, you can select what needs to be calculated (time bins, residencies or active network).

Log in:

Some project data is under moratorium, login to get full access.

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