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

  1. 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

  1. Click on Launch Desktop to start your session.

  2. The system will allocate resources and initialize your virtual environment.

  3. 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

  1. Open RStudio or Jupyter Notebook from the applications menu.

  2. Load your dataset using the appropriate functions (e.g., read.csv() in R or pandas.read_csv() in Python).

  3. Execute your analysis and visualize results using built-in libraries or load packages of your choice.

  4. Save your work to your allocated storage or download results for further use.

Running GIS Analyses in QGIS

  1. Open QGIS from the applications menu.

  2. Load spatial datasets from your storage or external sources.

  3. Use built-in geoprocessing tools to analyze environmental and ecological data.

  4. 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

IssueSolution
Desktop not loadingRefresh the page or restart your session.
Slow performanceClose unused applications and check your internet connection.
Cannot upload filesEnsure the file size is within the allowed limit and try again.
Software missingContact 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.