Development and Usability Analysis of eFloraCyntok: a Digital Botanical Repository for Herbal Plant Conservation

The Digital Botanical Repository at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), known as eFloraCyntok, was developed to address challenges in traditional data management and limited accessibility to herbal plant information within UUM's herbal garden. Physical access restrictions to the garden necessitated a digital platform to enhance the dissemination and usability of plant information. The primary objective of eFloraCyntok is to support conservation, research, and educational initiatives by improving data management, accessibility, and user engagement. The repository was developed through a structured process that included user requirement analysis, the design of a botanical database and high-resolution image storage, the creation of an intuitive user interface, database-interface integration, and the implementation of advanced search functionalities. Usability testing, conducted using the Website Analysis and Measurement Inventory (WAMMI) framework, revealed both strengths and areas for improvement. Findings indicate that users found the repository effective in information retrieval and visually engaging, with 49% agreeing the structure was logical and 67% noting ease in finding information. However, challenges in navigation, error tolerance, and introductory explanations were identified, impacting ease of learning and initial user experiences. Despite these limitations, eFloraCyntok significantly enhances accessibility to botanical knowledge, supports academic research, and promotes public awareness of herbal plants and their medicinal uses. By addressing usability issues and incorporating user feedback, the repository can evolve into a model digital platform, contributing to the preservation and utilization of herbal resources while bridging the gap between physical and digital botanical gardens.