Development of a location-enabled application for threatened tree species at the university of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Abstract

Combining geospatial tools and data provision elements can greatly benefit threatened species management, particularly where location services are added. Therefore, this study was designed to develop a location-enabled mobile application for managing threatened trees within the University of Ibadan. The selection of threatened trees was based on the IUCN Red List. Threatened trees with a diameter at breast height of not less than 10cm within the University of Ibadan were identified to species level and wholly enumerated. The growth variables of each threatened tree were estimated, and each identified tree was georeferenced. Identified threatened trees were categorized based on their IUCN status, and the mean growth variables and the total number of trees, families and species per family were displayed. Icons on a map also represented identified trees to show their spatial. A data addition form was created, and the Google Firebase Real-time Database was used as a temporary repository of user-suggested data. A navigation system was also designed to navigate to threatened tree locations. A user-friendly mobile application called "UITTNav" was developed within the scope of this study. The application can be downloaded with the name "UITTNav" for free on the Google Play store without any restriction from June 2024. The application combines the ability to show where trees are, help users find their way to these trees, give detailed information about them, and allow users to suggest tree data. It will provide adequate location and tree data to manage threatened trees within the University of Ibadan.