Occurrence of plant species in the proposed Ankasa-Bia-Krokosua ecological corridor of Ghana

Study Extent

The study was carried out in the Ankasa-Bia-Krokosua ecological landscape. The area fall within the high forest zone of Ghana and is characterized by high diversity and richness of species. All data were 2011-2016. The data points were taken between latitudes 7.906669 North and 5.317087 South and longitudes-3.006151 West and -1.854438 East. The Bounding Coordinates were South West [5.31, -3.021], North East [7.994, -1.187].

Sampling

All occurrence points were randomly recorded through human observation

Quality Control

All data mobilization and publishing protocols were duly followed

Method steps

1. All data points were entered in excel worksheet using the Darwin Core standard template for occurrence data and cleaned from errors using the filter on the excel worksheet. All names were resolved and verified or validated using the Taxonomic Name Resolution Service V.40 and Global Name Resolver. Google map and Georeference calculator were used in verifying the location and calculating the coordinate uncertainty in metres. The Canadensys coordinate conversion was used in changing the geographic coordinates from DDMMSS to decimal coordinates. Dates were parsed using the Canadensys date parsing. InfoXY version 2.0 was used in validation all the geographic data associated with the species. Geographic data associated with the datasets were further validated with Geolocate software. The OccurrenceID was created as RMSC:FIP:CORR:00001 for all data records. RMSC is the ownerInstitutionCode with FIP the name of the project and CORR representing data records were taken in the off-reserve (corridor)and 000001 the first species in the sequence of records of the plant species. The occurrences datasets were then uploaded into the OpenRefine software for further cleaning and the cleaned dataset was then downloaded as CSV file and uploaded into the IPT for publishing by filling and completing all required metadata associated with the dataset. Quality checks such as the following were followed during the cleaning of the data and writing of the metadata associated with the dataset. The required template for occurrence dataset was used. The required and recommended fields were duly filled. The recommended data cleaning softwares and reference books were used. Data cleaning procedure and methods were meticulously followed to produce as far as practically possible to produce data files that are fit for use and publishing.

All plant species were identified to the taxon rank

1. Zanthoxylum leprieurii Guill. & Perr.

The data points were taken at some selected forest reserves that were found between latitudes 7.906669 North and 5.317087 South and longitudes-3.006151 West and -1.854438 East.