Tutorial:
Gap Analysis with GAMMa

Access the sample data here.

From the File menu, select Download, then Comma Separated Values (.csv)

This tutorial uses sample data for Magnolia fraseri. You can use your dataset for a taxon of your choice, or follow along using the sample data set.

Note: Incorporating data from GBIF in your analysis is currently only supported for the following genera: Cycas, Magnolia, Oak, Rhododendron, Vitis. If you are using another taxon besides from M. fraseri and would like to incorporate data from GBIF, make sure the taxon is within one of the above genera.

Expand the dropdown for Select a species and begin to type fraseri. The species name will populate

Select "fraseri."

You must select a "taxon rank" and "infraspecific epithet." No infraspecific epithet exists for Magnolia fraseri, so select "NA" or leave it blank.

You can now move on to the next drop-down menu, 2. Download and display GBIF data

Click the yellow button Download Data from GBIF.

(Note: this version of the app can currently only pull 200 records from GBIF.)

GBIF Data will now populate in a table below the map. Scroll down to check that the data is populating in the table. You have the option to download GBIF data as a .CSV file.

After the GBIF data has populated the table, scroll back up to to 2. Add GBIF data to the map on the menu to the left of the map. 

Click the yellow button Add GBIF to map.

Now the map will display blue points of all GBIF records. 

Move on to step 3, Upload Your own data.

Click the yellow button Browse to locate and select a .CSV file of your own data, such as accessions data or your own wild occurrence data, or the sample dataset for Magnolia fraseri.

GAMMA will now check the file to ensure that all column names are correct. Once all column names match, it will display All column names match. If any errors display for column names, check the link View Data Format Example to make sure your column names match the format exactly. Remove any additional columns that are not in the format example. Column names are case sensitive.

Scroll down to check that the data is populating the table. 

Select add uploaded to map

The uploaded data points will now display on the map.

You can toggle the different datasets on and off.

Move on to the menu 5. Move data to gap analysis and click the yellow button Compile Data for Gap Analysis

A pop-up window will appear. Click OK.

After clicking OK scroll to the top navigation menu (in green) and select Gap Analysis. 

You will be taken to a new page with an empty map.

Expand the first dropdown menu Add Points to Map and select the yellow button Add records to the map.

Your compiled data sources will now display on the map.

Expand the second dropdown menu Select Buffer Size. From the dropdown menu, you can select a buffer of either 1, 5, 10, 20 or 50 kilometers.

After selecting a buffer size, expand the next menu Run Gap Analysis.

Click the first yellow button 1. Create Buffers. The buffers you selected in the previous step will now appear around your map points.

Next, click the second yellow button 2. Create Gap Maps Layers. This will create a layer of ecoregions.

You can toggle any of these layers on and off and Zoom in and out of the map to see aspects of the map in more detail.

Move on to the final step, click the yellow button 3. Generate Summary Figure. 

Below the map, the table for Gap Analysis Results will display the scores for each representativeness score, and a combined representativeness score for the analysis.

You're done with the gap analysis, but we would appreciate your thoughts on using this app!

Go here to share your feedback.

Feedback from users helps us make improvements and ensures the tool meets the needs of the botanic garden and arboreta community.