NATURAL ATLAS APP REVIEW

Natural Atlas is an app that is available for both android users and apple users. It has a free version, which is a bit limited and a paid version which will cost the user $39.99 per year. Options that come with the paid version are shown below.

The free version is the one that I will evaluate because for the average user, this is the version they will likely use. In the area that is selected, the app shows the top 5 species spotted in the following categories:

Local Flora

Local Fauna

Local Birds

Local Insects

Local Fungi

To me, the top 5 most spotted means that they are the most likely to be encountered should I desire to visit the area. This is an important feature because if the user wants to research a specific species, they are able to see what areas the species would most likely be found.

This app appears to work internationally, as I live in Finland and have no issues seeing what is local to my area. At this point, though, I have not had a chance to use the app in nature, more just in my own back yard. The use of the app though, seems limitless. There are multiple features.

Connecting with local communities	​Tracking hikes	Tracking discoveries

All of the photos provided in Natural Atlas are supplied by users. Overall, the app gives the appearance of a one size fits all kind of app. It is great for beginners who are just looking for recreational use, and for those who are more experienced and are looking to do research hiking with it. The app also links to a website, which can show all of the users information so long as they are signed in.I would say that the one downfall is that to get full use of the app, you have to pay.