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Tussock Grassland MIS evaluations

During April, several scientists and staff from the Department of Conservation and regional councils participated in evaluations of this website. These evaluations were facilitated by Chris Jacobson. To all those who participated - thank you. We have begun to attend to the issues you raised. Already, we have added some on-line papers, updated the links and reference section, and are redeveloping the front gateway. The following is a brief summary of the evaluations; a full report will follow at a later date. More evaluations will be undertaken with different stakeholders during the 2001/02 year, these will include farmers and farming groups.

Background

The Internet-based Tussock Grassland MIS was instigated to provide information and decision support for those involved in the management of the South Island high country. The site was developed in 1998, and was made public on the World Wide Web almost a year ago. Evaluation meetings were held with scientists to gain ongoing support for supply of information for the site, and to discuss barriers to the involvement of the science community. In discussions with Department of Conservation and regional council staff, issues relating to support for the site, practicality of the site, and technological and organisational matters were covered. In total about 25 people were involved.

Issues raised by scientists

The involvement of the science community is essential. Ongoing funding to support the collation of material for the site and conversion to web-based format is necessary. Organisational support is also needed as many research programmes move towards providing an interactive medium (such as the Internet) as the interface between research and its dissemination. Collaboration between research groups and organisations is needed to ensure that fragmentary information is pooled.

Issues raised by staff from the the Department of Conservation and regional councils

Both Department of Conservation and regional council staff saw the site as a very valuable resource, and stated that similar projects in other areas of interest should be initiated. Several people requested the provision of extra information relevant to grassland management, including:

  • Weed species ecology and management
  • Biodiversity values of different community types
  • Low-altitude dryland management
  • Monitoring approaches and techniques
  • Ecological resilience
  • Localised information
  • The ecological effects of burning, grazing and fertilising native grassland areas.

    • Several suggestions to change the front gateway or contents pages were made. These changes would allow for easy access to specific areas of the site currently available via the site index and site map links. It was also suggested that copies of full papers and reports be made available on-line wherever possible.

    Some of the evaluation participants suggested the use of such Web-based resources needs to be more actively promoted among different user groups. In particular the need for promotion among farmers and regional council staff was highlighted.


    Considerations for dealing with issues raised

    Participants also suggested some important considerations, which need to guide further development and promotion activities:

    Evidence of support – If additional resources are to be committed to the upkeep and expansion of this site, there will need to be evidence from end-user groups and science organisations of committment to using the site. Without end-user support there is no incentive for the involvement of scientists; and without the support of the scientific community providing additional information becomes increasingly difficult.

    Provide guides, not answers – The site must be seen to provide technical support for decision making, as opposed to providing answers to management decisions.

    General comments

  • Additions to content material should be made.
  • International and national links should be extended.
  • The front pages should be changed to make the site more user friendly.
  • Wherever possible papers and reports should be made available on-line.



    Any comments or questions regarding this evaluation summary should be made to Chris Jacobson, e-mail:     C_L_Jacobson@hotmail.com, or to Will Allen, e-mail: AllenW@landcare.cri.nz

    Page last updated on Friday, September 21, 2001
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