Threatened Australian Fauna: Radial Field Guide Prototype

Overview

This quick visual experiment explores how Australia’s threatened fauna data could be shaped into a more browsable, field-guide-style structure. Rather than presenting the data as a table or standard bar chart, the prototype uses a radial tree to show relationships between broad fauna groups and user-friendly subgroups. The aim is not to replace the official data source, but to test a more visual and approachable way of navigating complex environmental information.

Process

This was a small D3 and Observable learning exercise.

The process involved:

  • using a simple hierarchy for the fauna groups

  • storing the data in a separate JSON file

  • using D3’s radial tree layout

  • adjusting the SVG viewBox, radius, and positioning to stop labels being clipped

  • adding a caption, status note, and export options

The biggest design challenge was space. Radial tree labels quickly collide or run off the edge. Making the chart usable meant reducing the radius, increasing the canvas height, and giving the caption its own area.

Next steps

Possible improvements include:

  • add hover tooltips with common name, scientific name, EPBC status, and listing details

  • create filters for conservation status

  • compare scientific taxonomy with user-friendly groupings

  • publish the interactive version alongside a static export

Sources

  • EPBC Act List of Threatened Fauna - the primary source for species names and conservation status categories used in the visualisations. EPBC data was regrouped into user-friendly fauna categories for this prototype.

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