Avidant: A Descriptive-Analytical Tool for Urban Bird Monitoring in the Province of Negros Occidental

Abstract

Urban bird diversity is a sound environmental indicator of the overall biodiversity. However, despite extensive bird monitoring efforts, there still needs to be more tools for efficiently recording and analyzing bird data. This data is vital for making informed decisions about biodiversity conservation. To address this issue, this study aimed to develop a reliable and user-friendly analytical tool for urban bird monitoring in the Province of Negros Occidental. The descriptive analytics functionality of the device was designed to identify bird species, track changes in bird populations over time, identify areas where bird species are at risk, and prioritize conservation efforts accordingly. The study used the Agile Scrum method and Constructive Research design to develop the mobile application and web system. The system utilizes the Shannon Diversity and Evenness Index and Simpson’s Dominance Index algorithms to analyze bird data. Only identified land bird species found within Negros Occidental were included for urban bird monitoring, excluding sea birds. The study's findings revealed that the system is, indeed, user-friendly, and reliable for gathering data on bird species distribution and abundance in urban areas of Negros Occidental, effectively assisting conservationists in identifying significant bird habitats and assessing the overall state of urban biodiversity. Bacolod City was selected as the pilot location for this study. The study was developed in the School Year 2022-2023.