Citizen science has proved its significance by bridging the gap between the public and scientists, encouraging collaborative approaches to research methods and scientific processes. One of the ways to contribute to citizen science projects is through participating in avian sound collection projects such as the Xeno-canto (XC) platform. Effective data visualization is crucial in these efforts, as it transforms raw data into an accessible and interpretable form. Considering XC's significant contribution to bioacoustic studies and ecological research, this study addresses data visualization and mapping functionality limitations that currently hinder user experience and data exploration. We propose a cost-effective approach to ensure the platform's long-term viability without the burden of additional costs by transitioning from a commercial web map library to a license-free, open-source alternative. We use a combination of user-centered design (UCD) and a re-engineering approach to develop geospatial data visualization solutions tailored to XC and its users. One of the phases in our methodology is dedicated to usability testing. The outcomes for selected map types yielded encouraging results across these criteria. Key advancements of this research include a strategic move toward open-source development, transitioning to GeoJSON, and the implementation of a dynamic color coding schema. |
