UBEC Bioregion Mapping Guide - Implementation Instructions

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UBEC Bioregion Mapping Guide - Implementation Instructions

Overview

This package contains a comprehensive user guide for the UBEC Mapbender WMS interface at https://mapbender.ubec.network/application/ubec_wms

Files Included

  1. UBEC_Bioregion_Mapping_Guide.md - The complete mapping guide (47KB, comprehensive)
  2. This README with implementation instructions

Guide Features

The mapping guide provides:

✅ Step-by-step instructions for using the Mapbender WMS interface ✅ Ecological foundation connecting watersheds, ecoregions, and natural boundaries ✅ Integration with UBEC tokens - Water, Earth, Air, and Fire ✅ Technical how-to for navigating layers, measuring, and exporting maps ✅ Community engagement guidance for bioregion establishment ✅ Examples and templates for documenting bioregion boundaries ✅ Troubleshooting common technical and conceptual issues ✅ Ubuntu philosophy woven throughout

Integration with Existing Documentation

Where to Place the File

According to your project structure, place the mapping guide here:

ubec_interface/
├── docs/
│   └── guides/
│       ├── UBEC_Bioregion_Guide.md (existing)
│       ├── UBEC_Bioregion_Mapping_Guide.md (NEW - add this)
│       ├── farmer-guide.md
│       ├── community-guide.md
│       ├── activator-guide.md
│       └── livinglab-guide.md

Linking from Existing Guide

In your existing UBEC_Bioregion_Guide.md file, find this section:

### If Establishing a New Bioregion

1. ☑️ Gather a core team (3-5 people)
2. ☑️ Map your bioregion boundaries
3. ☑️ Conduct community listening sessions

UPDATE IT TO:

### If Establishing a New Bioregion

1. ☑️ Gather a core team (3-5 people)
2. ☑️ [Map your bioregion boundaries →](UBEC_Bioregion_Mapping_Guide.md)
3. ☑️ Conduct community listening sessions

Also add to the "Step 1: Map Your Bioregion" section around line 300:

#### Create a Bioregional Map

**Use the UBEC Mapping Tool:**
→ **[Complete Mapping Guide: Using the UBEC Mapbender WMS Interface →](UBEC_Bioregion_Mapping_Guide.md)**

The UBEC Mapbender interface provides interactive maps with:
- Watershed and river basin boundaries
- Ecoregion classifications (Levels 1-3)
- Elevation and topography data
- Climate and land use patterns

Document your bioregion with:
- Satellite imagery showing natural boundaries
- Elevation maps and topography

At the bottom of the bioregion guide in the "Related Guides" section:

## Related Guides

- [**Bioregion Mapping Guide** →](UBEC_Bioregion_Mapping_Guide.md) - **Using the UBEC Mapbender WMS Interface**
- [Farmer Onboarding Guide →](farmer-guide.md)
- [Community Onboarding Guide →](community-guide.md)

Web Interface Integration

If you want to feature the mapping guide on your web dashboard, add to the documentation or community pages:

<div class="resource-card featured">
    <div class="badge">Interactive Tool</div>
    <h3>🗺️ Map Your Bioregion</h3>
    <p>Use our interactive mapping interface to define your bioregion boundaries based on watersheds, ecoregions, and natural features.</p>
    <div class="resource-links">
        <a href="/docs/guides/mapping-guide" class="btn-primary">Read Guide →</a>
        <a href="https://mapbender.ubec.network/application/ubec_wms" class="btn-secondary" target="_blank">Open Mapping Tool ↗</a>
    </div>
</div>

The guide references the Mapbender interface at: https://mapbender.ubec.network/application/ubec_wms

Make sure this link is: 1. Working and publicly accessible 2. Listed in your documentation 3. Featured prominently in bioregion establishment resources

Content Highlights

Part 1: Understanding Bioregional Mapping

  • Defines bioregions through watersheds, ecoregions, natural features
  • Connects to UBEC token systems (Water, Earth, Fire, Air)

Part 2: Accessing the Interface

  • Step-by-step navigation instructions
  • Interface layout overview

Part 3: Mapping Process (Core Content)

  • How to locate your area
  • Enabling and using different map layers
  • Identifying bioregion boundaries
  • Using measurement and drawing tools
  • Documenting your findings
  • Exporting maps

Part 4: UBEC Integration

  • Uploading to UBEC dashboard
  • Linking geographic data to tokens
  • Environmental monitoring setup

Part 5: Advanced Techniques

  • Comparing with other bioregions
  • Creating sub-regional maps
  • Seasonal considerations
  • Indigenous knowledge integration

Part 6-8: Support and Context

  • FAQs and troubleshooting
  • From map to movement (philosophical)
  • Resources and next steps
  • Appendices with examples and glossary

Design Alignment

The guide follows your project's design principles:

✅ Modular Documentation - Standalone guide with clear links to other resources ✅ Single Source of Truth - References existing guides rather than duplicating ✅ Ubuntu Philosophy - "I am because we are" woven throughout ✅ Four-Element Theme - Water, Earth, Fire, Air connected to mapping ✅ Attribution - Includes Claude/Anthropic acknowledgment

Testing Checklist

Before deploying, verify:

  • [ ] File placed in docs/guides/ directory
  • [ ] Links updated in UBEC_Bioregion_Guide.md
  • [ ] Mapbender interface URL is correct and accessible
  • [ ] All internal links work (guide references farmer-guide.md, etc.)
  • [ ] Guide renders properly in markdown viewer
  • [ ] Images and formatting display correctly
  • [ ] Mobile-friendly (test on phone/tablet)
  • [ ] Download/export instructions work with your Mapbender instance

Deployment Steps

1. Copy to Project Repository

# From your local machine or server
cd /path/to/ubec_interface
cp /path/to/UBEC_Bioregion_Mapping_Guide.md docs/guides/

Edit docs/guides/UBEC_Bioregion_Guide.md as described above.

3. Commit and Deploy

git add docs/guides/UBEC_Bioregion_Mapping_Guide.md
git add docs/guides/UBEC_Bioregion_Guide.md
git commit -m "Add comprehensive Mapbender WMS mapping guide"
git push origin main

4. Update Web Interface (if serving docs dynamically)

If your FastAPI application serves markdown guides, ensure the new guide is accessible at: - /docs/guides/mapping-guide or - /docs/guides/bioregion-mapping

5. Test End-to-End

  1. Visit your UBEC web interface
  2. Navigate to bioregion documentation
  3. Click the mapping guide link
  4. Verify it loads correctly
  5. Click the Mapbender interface link
  6. Verify it opens in new tab
  7. Test all internal guide links

6. Announce to Community

Once deployed, inform your community: - Email newsletter - Community forum post - Social media announcement - Add to onboarding materials

Customization Options

Feel free to customize:

  1. Add screenshots from your actual Mapbender interface
  2. Include case studies from your first bioregions
  3. Translate to other languages for international communities
  4. Create video tutorials that complement the written guide
  5. Add your bioregion examples in Appendix B

Support and Maintenance

Regular Updates

Plan to review/update the guide: - Every 6 months: Check for broken links and outdated info - When Mapbender updates: Revise interface instructions - As bioregions form: Add real examples and case studies - When you get feedback: Incorporate user suggestions

User Feedback

Create a feedback mechanism: - Email: mapping-feedback@ubec-protocol.org - Forum discussion thread - "Improve this guide" link with edit suggestions - Survey after users complete mapping process

Version Control

The guide includes: - Document Version: 1.0 - Last Updated: November 2025 - Next Review: May 2026

Update these when making revisions.

Technical Notes

Markdown Compatibility

The guide uses standard CommonMark markdown: - Headers (H1-H6) - Lists (ordered and unordered) - Code blocks with syntax highlighting - Tables - Links (internal and external) - Blockquotes - Emoji (for visual interest)

Should render correctly in: - GitHub/GitLab - Documentation generators (MkDocs, Docusaurus) - Markdown viewers - Your FastAPI/Jinja2 templates

File Size

  • Word count: ~15,000 words
  • Reading time: ~60 minutes (comprehensive)
  • Quick reference: Appendix A (5 min)
  • File size: ~47 KB

Consider creating a "Quick Start" version (5-10 min) for users who want immediate action.

What's Next?

After deploying the mapping guide:

  1. Create complementary resources:
  2. Video walkthrough of Mapbender interface
  3. Downloadable boundary description template

  4. Case study collection from established bioregions

  5. Integrate with onboarding:

  6. Add mapping to new user workflow
  7. Include in Community Activator training

  8. Reference in bioregion application process

  9. Monitor adoption:

  10. Track guide usage analytics
  11. Collect user feedback

  12. Iterate based on real-world use

  13. Build on success:

  14. Advanced mapping workshops
  15. Inter-bioregional mapping coordination
  16. Integration with monitoring systems

Questions?

If you have questions about implementing this guide:

  • Technical issues: Reference the project knowledge search
  • Content questions: Review the guide itself (comprehensive)
  • Integration questions: Check your existing documentation structure

Attribution

This guide was created using Claude and Anthropic PBC to support the Ubuntu Bioregional Economic Commons Protocol.

Ready to deploy! Follow the steps above to integrate the mapping guide into your UBEC documentation.

Version 1.0 | November 2025