EBVCubeVisualizerPlugin

EBVCubeVisualizerPlugin is a QGIS plugin designed for visualizing Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) stored in EBV portal as NetCDF files. The plugin allows users to select and display specific subsets of EBV data based on time, entity, scenario, and metric, providing a flexible and powerful tool for biodiversity analysis.

Features

• Load and visualize EBV data stored in NetCDF files.
• Subset data by time, entity, scenario, and metric.
• Automatically apply the correct Coordinate Reference System (CRS) based on the NetCDF file metadata.
• Display the selected data on the QGIS canvas with clear layer names that include entity and time information.

Installation

1. Download this repository as zip file.
2. Open QGIS and go to Plugins > Manage and Install Plugins....
3. Click on Install from ZIP and select the downloaded file.
4. Activate the plugin by checking the box next to "EBVCubeVisualizerPlugin" in the Installed tab.

Usage

1. Open the Plugin:

   • After installation, go to Plugins > EBVCubeVisualizerPlugin to open the plugin interface.

2. Load a NetCDF File:

   • Use the file browser to select a NetCDF file containing EBV data.

3. Select Parameters:

   • Choose the desired Entity(e.g., species), Time(e.g., year), Metric (e.g., Biodiversity metric) and Scenario from the dropdown menus.

4. Visualize Data:

   • Click the Add Layer button to display the selected subset of data on the QGIS canvas. The layer will be styled with an automatically generated color ramp base on the data values.

5. Customize Visualization:

   • Use QGIS layer properties to further customize the visualization, such as adjusting the color scheme or applaying spatial analysis tools.

Dependencies

• QGIS 3.0 or later
• Python 3.6 or later
• Required Python Libraries:
  • netCDF4: Handles NetCDF file loading and data extraction.
  • numpy: Supports array operations and data handling.
  • gdal: Facilitates raster data management and processing.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues with the plugin, please follow these steps:

1. Ensure that all dependencies are installed and correctly configured.
2. Verify that the NetCDF file you are using is properly formatted and contains the required dimensions (e.g., entity, time, lat, lon).
3. Check the QGIS Python console for any error messages and provide them when seeking help.

Contributing

We welcome contributions to this project! If you have an idea for a new feature or have found a bug, feel free to open an issue or submit a pull request.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Future Enhancements

• User Interface Improvements: Streamline the interface for easier parameter selection and data visualization.
• Data availability: Provide the catalog of the EBV portla within the plug-in if possible Stay tuned for future updates and enhancements!