TY - THES A1 - Swiderek, Paul T1 - Can golf courses help in conserving and improving local biodiversity – a case study at the Elfrather Mühle, Krefeld T1 - Können Golfanlagen helfen lokale Biodiversität zu schützen und zu verbessern – ein Fallbeispiel am Golf und Country Club Elfrather Mühle, Krefeld N2 - Habitat losses by fragmentation, agriculture, urbanization, and other causes have led to significant declines in biodiversity. Thus, green infrastructures like golf courses have emerged as a potential contributor to biodiversity conservation. Therefore, the research focuses on a golf course in Krefeld, Germany, by examining its role in supporting, conserving, and improving local biodiversity. The objectives include assessing the biotopes and habitats provided by the golf course, investigating the potential of an ecosystem analysis to enhance overall biodiversity, and evaluating the golf course's effectiveness in conserving local species of conservation concern. Through landscape analysis, significant differences between the golf course and surrounding areas were observed. The golf course was ascertained to exhibit a significantly higher biotope value compared to other land use systems except natural ones. Woody biotopes, including forests and tree groups, demonstrated the highest on-course biotope values, while short-kept grass, roughs, ponds, and non-native woody structures were less valuable. Theoretical enrichments of meadow-, pond-, and non-native biotopes as well as their relative size indicated potential for improving biotope value to support biodiversity. Combined enrichments were indicated to be the most effective. Despite the current presence of only a few habitat types, the golf course was found to support local fauna and flora species of conservation concern. Adaptations, such as creating meadow-, riparian-, copse-, and forest habitats, showed promise to further improve biodiversity. The study identified landscape context and prior land use as crucial factors influencing golf course’s value. Overall, the golf course demonstrated potential in providing valuable biotopes, and habitats and supporting local and regional species of conservation concern. The findings suggest that golf courses, particularly in urban and suburban areas, can serve as effective contributors to biodiversity conservation by enhancing landscape connectivity and providing essential habitats. Enrichment strategies, coupled with a focus on specific habitat types, offer practical avenues for improving the conservation status of both local and regional flora and fauna species on golf courses. This research underscores the potential of golf courses as valuable tools in urban biodiversity conservation efforts. N2 - Verluste an Lebensräumen durch Fragmentierung, Landwirtschaft, Urbanisierung und andere Ursachen haben zu erheblichen Rückgängen der Artenvielfalt geführt. Dadurch ist das Interesse an grüne Infrastrukturen wie Golfplätzen, als potenzielle Beitragende zum Artenschutz, gestiegen. Daher wurde auf einer Golfanlage in Krefeld (GCC Elfrather Mühle), NRW, indem dessen Rolle bei der Unterstützung, Bewahrung und Verbesserung der lokalen Artenvielfalt untersucht wurde. Die Ziele der Forschung umfassten die Bewertung der Biotope und Lebensräume des Golfplatzes, die Untersuchung des Potenzials einer Ökosystemanalyse zur Verbesserung der Gesamtartenvielfalt und die Bewertung der Effektivität des Golfplatzes bei Bewahrung lokaler planungsrelevanter Arten von Schutzinteresse. Durch eine Landschaftsanalyse wurden signifikante Unterschiede zwischen dem Golfplatz und den umliegenden Gebieten im Raum Krefeld festgestellt. Der Golfplatz wurde im Vergleich zu anderen Landnutzungssystemen, außer natürlichen Ökosystemen, als wesentlich wertvoller eingestuft. Gehölzbiotope, einschließlich Wälder, Kleingehölzen und Baumgruppen, wiesen die höchsten Biotopwerte auf, während sowohl kurz gemähtes Gras der Fairways und Greens, als auch Roughs, Teiche und nicht-heimische Gehölzstrukturen weniger wertvoll waren. Künftige Entwicklungsmaßnahmen wie Anreicherung von Wiesen- und Teichbiotopen durch spezielles Saatgut, die ausschließliche Pflanzung von heimischen Baumarten sowie eine geringe Vergrößerung der Biotope im Vergleich zur Golffläche haben das Potenzial zur Verbesserung des Biotopwerts zur Unterstützung der Artenvielfalt. Kombinierte Aufwertungen wurden als am effektivsten eingestuft. Trotz der gegenwärtigen Existenz weniger unterschiedlicher Lebensraumtypen wurde festgestellt, dass der Golfplatz lokale Fauna- und Flora-Arten von Schutzinteresse unterstützt. Theoretische Aufwertungen wie die Schaffung von Wiesen-, Ufer-, Gehölz- und Waldlebensräumen sowie das Anbringen von Nisthilfen und die Errichtung von Totholzhaufen, konnten als vielversprechende Maßnahme zur weiteren Verbesserung der Artenvielfalt vorgeschlagen werden. Die Studie identifizierte den Landschaftskontext und die vorherige Landnutzung als entscheidende Faktoren, die die Wertigkeit des Golfplatzes beeinflussen. Insgesamt zeigte der Golfplatz Potenzial zur Bereitstellung wertvoller Biotope und Lebensräume zur Unterstützung und Erhaltung lokaler und sogar regionaler planungsrelevanter Arten von Schutzinteresse. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass Golfplätze, insbesondere in städtischen und suburbanen Gebieten, effektive Beiträge zum Artenschutz leisten können, indem sie die Landschaftsvernetzung verbessern und wichtige Lebensräume bereitstellen. Anreicherungsstrategien, mit dem Fokus auf bestimmte Lebensraumtypen, bieten praktikable Möglichkeiten zur Verbesserung des Schutzstatus von lokalen und regionalen Flora- und Fauna-Arten auf Golfplätzen. Diese Forschung unterstreicht das Potenzial von Golfplätzen als wertvolle Instrumente in den Bemühungen zur städtischen Artenvielfaltserhaltung. KW - golf KW - biodiversity KW - conservation KW - landscape connectivity KW - green infrastructure Y1 - 2024 ER - TY - THES A1 - Bhattarai, Anish T1 - Digitizing the Bait Lamina Method: Facilitating Autonomous Learning and Data Processing in Ecological Research N2 - In recent years, digital tools in soil science have evolved to modernize and streamline traditional approaches by fostering greater learning engagement and enhancing accessibility. The primary goal of this research is to create an application that intends to facilitate autonomous learning while streamlining data processing, visualization, and reporting for the Bait Lamina Method (BLM). Advanced technologies such as React.js, Tailwind CSS, Vite.js, and several Node.js modules were used to implement essential functionalities. Moreover, to ensure smooth and scalable app delivery, Docker was employed. Furthermore, thorough usability testing was carried out with students from both the school and university to create a sturdy app that satisfies the needs and standards of users. This research utilized a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the app's overall usability, emphasizing efficiency, learnability, dependability, and overall satisfaction. Quantitative analysis included phi coefficient correlation, chi-square testing, and multiple ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to measure overall usability and user satisfaction. Meanwhile, qualitative approaches such as theme and sentiment analysis were used to get insight into user experiences, preferences, difficulties, and ideas for improvement. The study demonstrated that understanding the method is a key driver influencing student satisfaction. Therefore, the Bait Lamina App (BLA) immensely facilitated autonomous learning while speeding up data processing, visualization, and administration for the BLM. However, a few small faults and student comments were integrated into the BLA, which improved its use and satisfaction. KW - Bait Lamina Method (BLM) KW - Soil Science KW - Web Application Development KW - Autonomous Learning KW - Online Learning KW - Data Calculation KW - Visualization KW - Reporting KW - Usability Testing KW - Data Analysis KW - Enhancements Y1 - 2025 ER - TY - THES A1 - Regmi, Khem Raj T1 - Interactive Visualisation Tool for Teaching Environmental Data: A Guideline of how to set up the tool taking user feedback into account N2 - This thesis will study the creation of an interactive data visualization tool for environmental dataset that concentrates specifically on Nitrate concentrations in groundwater. This project is intended to create a tool for exploratory/experiential learning - one that allows learners to investigate regional data and pursue genuine learning opportunities. The plan is to use regional data in a specific user journey to create this interactive learning experience. The project uses open environmental data: Hygris dataset of LANUV(Landesamt für Natur, Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz) related to the regions Kleve and Wesel in Germany, and realizes this with help of python programming language and python streamlit framework, web development tools and data visualization libraries (pandas , plotly.express, streamlite.components.v1). This study explores tailored visualization strategies that address key challenges such as the inherent complexity of environmental datasets and the need for more engaging and comprehensible educational tools. These strategies include deploying interactive visualizations that allow hands-on data exploration, and temporal visualizations. The role of user feedback in refining educational tools for teaching environmental data is examined, particularly in designing effective visualization techniques like line char, bar chart, bubble chart, pie chart, scatter plot and intensity graph for representing groundwater nitrate concentrations. The impact of different visualization techniques on the understanding and interpretation of open environmental data among educators and students is analyzed, with an emphasis on the spatial distribution of groundwater nitrate concentrations over time. This approach aims to increase user engagement and deepen understanding of environmental data, facilitating a more profound embedding of information within learners' cognitive processes. KW - Interactive data visualization KW - Data representation KW - Environmental data KW - Nitrate concentration KW - Groundwater KW - Open data KW - User feedback KW - Education KW - Data accessibility KW - Data inclusivity KW - Educational tools KW - Digital teaching Y1 - 2024 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-21594 ER -