Invertebrate Biodiversity Assessment and Surveys (Koiora–Bioassist™)
Image - Birgit E. RhodeKoiora-BioAssist™ is a laboratory operated by taxonomists and ecologists, primarily focused on the processing of samples and identification of invertebrates from large ecological projects.
It provides advice (on survey design, sampling methods, identification etc) for ecological projects using invertebrates for environmental monitoring, conservation and restoration management, and biodiversity surveys.
Related activities, which overlap with other identification services and the NZAC include:
- digital images (Automontage) for publication and specialist diagnostics,
- specimen cataloguing and electronic databasing,
- training workshops for invertebrate identification and the development of protocols for identification.
KOIORA-BIOASSIST™ links rapid biodiversity assessment approaches with leading edge information technology solutions (imaging systems, relational databases) to measure and manage biodiversity. In doing so it streamlines ecological surveys through providing greater accuracy and cost effectiveness over traditional approaches.
The strength of KOIORA-BIOASSIST™ lies with the integration of biosystematics and ecology staff at Landcare Research, coupled with nationally significant biological collections of invertebrates, fungi, and plants. Thus providing a flexible, yet complete biodiversity assessment package for end-users.
BIOASSIST stands for BIOdiversity ASSessment using Information Systems and Taxonomy.KOIORA is our Māori equivalent for BIOASSIST. 'KOIORA' means 'life', and is also used in Māori curriculum material to mean biology (and bio- in the various combined forms). ‘Koi also means 'sharp', and is used colloquially to mean sharp/quick of the mind, which ties in nicely with a computer-based tool. ‘Ora’ too has a wide range of meanings (living, well, sustaining etc), and indeed you can even say 'kua ora au i a koe' meaning 'you've been a great help to me', so it reinforces the idea that the principal aim of this tool is to 'assist' the biodiversity assessment process.
