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Browsing & Searching

HAEDAT provides a powerful set of tools to explore harmful algal events globally. Whether you are looking for a specific species outbreak or long-term regional trends, the following tools will help you find the data you need.

1. Browsing Events (The Globe Map)

The Browse Events page is the primary entry point for exploring live records.

The Interactive Map

The new platform utilizes a Globe Projection to display events.

  • Colors: Points are color-coded by the "Nature" of the event (e.g., Red for Toxic, Amber for Discoloration).
  • Exact vs. Grid: Solid points represent exact GPS coordinates, while lighter circles indicate events linked to a general Monitoring Grid.

The HAEDAT Globe Map Figure: The Browse Events globe view with mapped harmful algal event records.

Faceted Filters (Sidebar)

Use the sidebar to drill down into the data. The system displays Dual Counts (e.g., 5 / 120), where the first number shows matches for your current filters and the second shows the total global count.

  • By Nature: Filter by the type of impact (Mass Mortality, Seafood Toxin, etc.).
  • By Syndrome: Filter by clinical syndromes like PSP, DSP, or CFP.
  • By Region/Country: Narrow results to specific IOC networks or nations.

2. Grid Explorer (Monitoring Areas)

Most countries divide their coastline into spatial grids for data aggregation. The Grid Explorer allows you to see exactly where these monitoring boundaries are located.

  1. Hierarchical Navigation: Select a Region to see which countries have defined grids within it.
  2. Map Interaction: Click on any purple polygon or point on the map to see the Grid Code and a link to all events recorded in that specific area.
  3. Search: Use the search bar to find a specific administrative grid code (e.g., "ES-07").

Grid Explorer Interface Figure: The Grid Explorer showing monitoring areas and spatial grid boundaries.

3. Advanced Search (Query Builder)

For complex scientific questions, use the Advanced Search tool. This "Query Builder" uses AND logic, meaning every criteria you select must be met.

Visual Nature Cards

Select the core nature of the event using high-visibility icons. You can select multiple categories (e.g., an event that caused both "Water Discoloration" and "Mass Mortality").

Dynamic Biology & Toxin Filters

This is the most powerful part of the search engine:

  • WoRMS Accepted Species Filter: Add rows to filter by accepted taxa used in the event biology tables. The search is canonical-first and uses the accepted WoRMS registry managed inside HAEDAT.
  • Toxin Filter: Add rows to search for specific chemical compounds synchronized with the HAIS Toxins API.

Advanced Search Query Builder Figure: The advanced search interface with query builder filters for taxonomy, toxins, dates, and impacts.

Impact & Resource Checkboxes

Quickly filter for events that specifically affected Humans, Aquaculture, Shellfish, or Marine Mammals.

4. Exporting Data

Once you have applied your filters on the Browse Events page, you can download the results for offline analysis:

  • Filtered CSV Export: After running a search or applying browse filters, click "Download Results CSV" to export only the currently matched records.
  • Full CSV Export: From the unfiltered Browse Events dashboard, click "Download Full Database (CSV)" to export the full public dataset.
  • API Access: For technical users and developers, HAEDAT offers a RESTful API. Please see the Technical Administration section for more details.

Finding Contacts

If you need to contact a researcher or a National Editor, navigate to the Contacts Directory.

  • You can browse by institution or country.
  • Clicking a contact's name will show their associated events and professional details.