Overview
The Virtual CoESRA (Collaborative Open Environmental Science Research Applications) Desktop on the EcoCommons platform provides a powerful and flexible computing environment for ecological and environmental modeling. Developed as part of the CoESRA initiative by TERN (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network), this platform enables researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to run complex analyses, access high-performance computing resources, and manage projects within a virtualised desktop interface.
In addition to ecological and environmental modeling, the Virtual CoESRA Desktop supports a wide range of applications, including:
Big Data Analysis for biodiversity and climate research
Geospatial Analysis with GIS
Remote Sensing Processing for habitat and land cover studies
Hydrological & Climate Modeling
Machine Learning & AI for Conservation
Policy & Decision Support Tools
Collaborative Research & Data Sharing
For more details about CoESRA, visit: https://coesra.tern.org.au/about
This guide will walk you through how to access, navigate, and use the Virtual COESRA Desktop effectively.
Accessing the Virtual CoESRA Desktop
Step 1: Navigate to the EcoCommons Analysis Tools
Open Analysis Hub and click on CoESRA tile https://analysis-tools.app.ecocommons.org.au/. OR Open your web browser and go to the Virtual CoESRA Desktop URL: https://coesra.tern.org.au/
2. Click on the Sign In button and enter your University or Google credentials.
3. Once logged in, locate the Virtual CoESRA Desktop option from the available tools.
Step 2: Launch the Virtual Desktop
Click on Launch Desktop to start your session.
The system will allocate resources and initialize your virtual environment.
Once loaded, you will be presented with a familiar desktop interface, pre-configured with essential tools for environmental modeling.
Navigating the Virtual CoESRA Desktop
Desktop Environment
The Virtual CoESRA Desktop offers a Linux-based environment with a graphical interface. It includes:
Places > Home folder for managing datasets and scripts.
- Access to Cloud Storage for uploading and downloading files.
MATE Terminal for command-line operations.
Pre-installed Applications, including R, Python, QGIS, and Jupyter.
Using the Virtual CoESRA Desktop
Uploading and Downloading Data
To upload a file, use the File Upload tool in the desktop environment or drag and drop files into the interface.
To download results, right-click the file in the File Explorer and select Download.
Running a Script in R or Python
Open RStudio or Jupyter Notebook from the applications menu.
Load your dataset using the appropriate functions (e.g.,
read.csv()
in R orpandas.read_csv()
in Python).Execute your analysis and visualize results using built-in libraries or load packages of your choice.
Save your work to your allocated storage or download results for further use.
Running GIS Analyses in QGIS
Open QGIS from the applications menu.
Load spatial datasets from your storage or external sources.
Use built-in geoprocessing tools to analyze environmental and ecological data.
Export processed layers and maps for reporting and further analysis.
Best Practices
Save Work Frequently: Ensure your work is saved to avoid data loss.
Optimize Resource Usage: Close unnecessary applications to improve performance.
Organize Files Properly: Use folders to manage projects and datasets efficiently.
Log Out After Use: To free up resources for other users, always log out when finished
Troubleshooting
Common Issues and Solutions
Issue | Solution |
---|---|
Desktop not loading | Refresh the page or restart your session. |
Slow performance | Close unused applications and check your internet connection. |
Cannot upload files | Ensure the file size is within the allowed limit and try again. |
Software missing | Contact Tern support for assistance. |
Need Further Help?
Check out CoESRA resources by Tern.
1. Computing Options
CoESRA provides cloud-based computing resources designed for ecosystem science researchers.
What computing option to choose?
https://coesra.tern.org.au/about
2. Available Applications
https://coesra.tern.org.au/applications
3. Impact and Contributions
The projects page showcases various case studies and research contributions CoESRA has supported.
User Guides
Comprehensive documentation is available via the TERN CoESRA User Guide, including step-by-step instructions for accessing and utilizing resources.
Technical Support
For assistance, visit the TERN support portal.