Heptofauna Occurrences in CREMA Landscape of Ghana

Study Extent

The study included mammal species data collection on some CREMA ecological landscapes of Ghana. The study was conducted from 2013 to 2021.

Sampling

The project was to mobilize heptofauna occurrence records in some CREMA landscapes of Ghana. All location of heptofauna species in CREMA landscapes were recorded with GPS device and geographic coordinates taken. CREMA heptofauna species database were created from the Resource Management Support Centre heptofauna database and sorted according to families. DecimalLatitude and decimalLongitude were calculated using Google Map: https://maps.google.com/ for the towns coordinates. Coordinate of uncertainty were also calculated using Georeferencing Calculator: http://manisnet.org/gci2.html to find towns coordinates and distance to the place on the Map.

Quality Control

Only heptofauna species within the CREMA were sampled. DecimalLatitude and decimalLongitude were referenced. All data records were thoroughly cleaned to make them fit for use.

Method steps

1. All data points were entered in excel worksheet using the Darwin Core standard template for occurrence sample data and cleaned from errors using the filter on the excel worksheet. All names were resolved and verified or validated using the Global Name Resolver using GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. 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 data was not georeferenced was georeferenced using the georeferencing protocol MaNIS/HerpNet/ORNIS Georeferencing Guidelines. Thus, the georeferencing required verification as only GPS coordinates of the location where the data was recorded during the data collection process. 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 software 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 reptiles and amphibians were identified to the species level.

1. Trachylepis quinquetaeniata (Lichtenstein, 1823)
   rank: species
2. Arthroleptis poecilonotus Peters, 1863 
   rank: species

The data points were taken at some CREMA landscape and corridors that were found between latitudes 8.216927132177412 North and 5.599585195716331 South and longitudes -2.900390625 West and -0.37353515625 East.