Selecting equipment
When participating in fieldwork it is important to select the right tools and equipment.
Using fieldwork equipment
When conducting investigations we can:
- identify the equipment we use to measure different environmental factors
- describe the potential sources of measurement error
- explain strategies to minimise bias.
Abiotic factors
Light intensity
What is it?
Light intensity is the amount of light that is emitted from a source, which when on our outdoor excursions, is the sun. It can vary due to the time of day, season, density of the tree canopy and weather conditions. In forest settings, the aspect of the site can also affect the light intensity. For example, in the Southern Hemisphere a north-facing aspect will experience higher light intensity throughout the day.
Why do we measure?
Light intensity is important as sunlight directly impacts plant growth through photosynthesis. The availability of light will influence the types of plants that grow in an environment and their distribution within an area. This will then have an influence on the distribution of animals that rely on these plants. Light intensity will also influence soil moisture with areas of high light intensity experiencing higher evaporation rates leading to dryer conditions and low light intensity leading to wetter conditions.
Planning fieldwork
Instrument selection
To measure light intensity we use a light meter. The units of measurement are lux (which is the amount of visible light falling on a surface). The light meter we are using has a hand-held sensor and a digital screen face with a dial that has a range of sensitivity levels between 200 and 50,000.
Considering bias
Ensure you are taking the reading near patches of plants we are interested in to ensure we are getting a reading of the light they are receiving. Avoid choosing to measure in the middle of a walking track or in direct sunlight as the reading will not relate to your investigation or be too high.
Conducting fieldwork
Procedure
Select suitable site for measurement.
Remove the light meter from its case.
Remove the protective cap from the sensor.
Hold the white sensor upwards and out from your body to avoid shading.
Turn the dial clockwise until there is a number reading on the screen.
Press the MAX button and hold the sensor out for 1 minute.
Record the number on the screen after 1 minute.
If you used the 20,000 setting multiply your reading by 10. If you used the 50,000 setting multiply your reading by 100.
Turn the dial to OFF and replace the protective sensor cap.
Place meter and sensor back in its case.
Avoiding error
If your chosen setting reads OL on the screen, the light input is too great and you will need to move the dial to a higher setting to increase the sensitivity. It is best to use the lowest setting you can as increasing the sensitivity decreases the accuracy of the reading by 5%. Avoid accidentally shading the sensor with yours or a team members body by ensuring the correct placement of the sensor. There is a chance of instrument error if the meter is malfunctioning or broken.
Ensuring reliability
Measure light intensity in multiple spots (at least 3) around a few plant patches and calculate the mean light intensity.
Aspect
What is it?
Aspect is the direction the slope is facing. For example, a slope on the east side of a hill or mountain would be said to have an ‘easterly aspect’.
Why do we measure?
Aspect is important as it has a significant impact on the local climate of an area (microclimate) as well as the physical features of the slope. Due to the way the sun rises and sets, the aspect of a slope will receive differing light intensities at different times of the day. For example, the hottest time of day is in the afternoon as the sun sets in the west. This creates a hotter environment for a westerly aspect than an easterly aspect. The amount of light a slope receives will also impact the amount of moisture in the soil which can lead to physical changes such as erosion and the organic material within the soil.
Measuring aspect determines the time of day a site receives light and the intensity it will receive it, therefore influencing its microclimate and soil which impacts the plants and animals that will be found in this area due to these conditions.
Planning fieldwork
Instrument selection
To measure aspect we use a compass. We will be taking the cardinal direction (N, S, E, W) rather than the bearing number. The red needle on the compass we will be using will always point toward magnetic north.
Considering bias
When finding the aspect it is important we ignore the walking track as often the track does not align with the aspect of the hillside slope.
Conducting fieldwork
Procedure
Select suitable site for measurement.
Locate the direction the slope is facing.
Point the compass arrow to the direction the slope is facing.
Hold the compass flat and rotate the bezel to align the N with the red needle pointer.
Record the cardinal reading of the slope direction that aligns with the compass arrow.
Avoiding error
Human error can occur by facing the wrong direction or having the bezel in the wrong orientation. To minimise these errors ensure you are facing away from the hillside and the letter ‘N’ on the bezel is directly aligned with the point of the red arrow in the compass. There is a chance of instrument error if the meter is malfunctioning or broken.
Ensuring reliability
Only one reading is required.
Notes
For most of our fieldwork we won’t need to use the bearing numbers on the compass. All we need is to state the cardinal direction of the aspect. For example: “northwest” or “north-northeast”. These can be abbreviated to NW and NNE in our results.
Slope
What is it?
Slope is the measure of steepness of a land surface. A slope is said to be steep when the surface is rising or falling sharply and gentle when the rising or falling is gentle or gradual. When determining the slope of a surface we are finding a gradient between two reference points which gives us the average rate at which the ground slopes.
Why do we measure?
The incline of a hill impacts the water flow over an area and the potential erosion risk of an area. The greater the steepness of the slope, the higher the speed and occurrence of water runoff over the surface of the land which creates higher levels of erosion. Higher levels of erosion can cause greater sediment deposition which in turn impacts plant growth.
Planning fieldwork
Instrument selection
To measure slope we use a clinometer which gives the angle of elevation from the ground. The units of measurement are degrees.
Considering bias
When finding the slope it is important we ignore the walking track as often the track does not align with the hillside slope.
Conducting fieldwork
Procedure
Select suitable site for measurement that shows the maximum slope of the area.
Measure your eyeline with a reference point (another person or a spot on a tree).
Stand 5-10 metres away from your reference point along the slope gradient.
Hold out clinometer and align the sight points on the front and back of the clinometer with your reference point.
Holding the above position, pull the trigger on the clinometer and let the pointer settle.
Once the pointer has settled, release the trigger which will hold the pointer in place.
Record the reading of the angle of the slope gradient from the dial on the clinometer.
Avoiding error
As you need to use a second reference point it is important to ensure the clinometer is correctly lined up with your eyeline and the second reference point to ensure the correct gradient is recorded. There is a chance of instrument error if the clinometer is malfunctioning or broken. Do not include a negative number for your reading, the dial on the clinometer goes both ways so it doesn’t matter if you are standing on the elevated hillside or down hill.
Ensuring reliability
Measure slope in multiple spots (at least 3) around and calculate the slope gradient.
Air temperature
What is it?
Air temperature is the measure of how hot or cold the atmosphere is at different levels. There are many factors in science and geography that can cause air temperature to vary such as the latitude and altitude, aspect, slope, wind, the surrounding natural vegetation and the proximity to the ocean.
Why do we measure?
Air temperature can affect the functioning of an ecosystem by influencing the growth and reproduction of both plants and animals with an optimal temperature promoting biodiversity. It also has a flow on effect by influencing other abiotic factors within an environment such as soil moisture and humidity.
Generally, warmer temperatures will promote biological growth and reproduction in plants and animals. However if temperatures are too hot, this can cause high rates of water evaporation which can affect the availability of water to plants and animals.
Planning fieldwork
Instrument selection
To measure air temperature we use a digital thermometer. The model we use is the Kestral 3000. The unit of measurement is °C.
Conducting fieldwork
Procedure
Select site for measurement.
Remove Kestral 3000 from protective casing and hang on a tree for 1 minute to equilibrate.
Turn on Kestral 3000 by pressing middle button.
Use arrow buttons to find air temperature setting - °C.
Hold the Kestral 3000 out from your body about 1 metre off the ground, holding the base of the machine.
Record the reading.
Turn off Kestral 3000 by holding down middle button.
Place the case back on.
Avoiding error
Error can occur if you are holding the Kestral 3000 incorrectly. Your hand needs to be placed at the base of the machine away from the blue coil sensor and held away from your face otherwise your hand or breath can impact the reading. There is also a chance of instrument error if the machine is malfunctioning or broken.
Ensuring reliability
Measure air temperature in multiple spots (at least 3) at your site and calculate the mean temperature.
Humidity
What is it?
Humidity is the amount of water vapour held in the air. Relative humidity is measured as a percentage of the amount of water vapour the air can actually hold depending on the temperature. If there is a lot of water vapour in the air the humidity is high, and if there is not a lot of water vapour in the air the humidity is low. The temperature of the air will impact its ability to hold more or less water. The hotter the air, the more water vapour it will be able to hold.
Why do we measure?
Humidity is important for the environment as it affects soil moisture and plant growth. If there is low humidity there will be more moisture evaporation from the soil which makes the soil dry. It also affects when and how plants open the stomata found on their leaves, which impacts the amount plants can transpire. If humidity is too low this will increase the evaporation of water vapour from their stomata. This increase in water loss impacts the growth of the plant. If humidity is too high plants are unable to release excess water vapour and can be detrimental to certain plants.
Planning fieldwork
Instrument selection
To measure humidity we use a digital hygrometer. The model we use is the Kestral 3000. The unit of measurement is %.
Conducting fieldwork
Procedure
Select site for measurement.
Remove Kestral 3000 from protective casing and hang on a tree for 1 minute to equilibrate.
Turn on Kestral 3000 by pressing middle button.
Use arrow buttons to find relative humidity setting - a water drop and a % sign.
Hold the Kestral 3000 out from your body about 1 metre off the ground, holding the base of the machine.
Record the reading.
Turn off Kestral 3000 by holding down middle button.
Place the case back on.
Avoiding error
Error can occur if you are holding the Kestral 3000 incorrectly. Your hand needs to be placed at the base of the machine away from the blue coil sensor and held away from your face otherwise your hand or breath can impact the reading. There is also a chance of instrument error if the machine is malfunctioning or broken.
Ensuring reliability
Measure humidity in multiple spots (at least 3) at your site and calculate the mean humidity level.
Wind speed
What is it?
Wind speed is how fast the air is moving past a particular point. Wind speeds can be higher in areas that are more open or exposed and tend to be slower in sheltered areas such as within a forest with dense tree growth.
Why do we measure?
If wind speeds are consistently high then plants may need to grow their roots over a wider area so they have more support. If an area also has low humidity as well as high wind speeds this can lead to higher rates of water evaporation in plants causing them to lose too much water or high rates of water evaporation from soil.
Some levels of wind may help certain plants to reproduce if their seeds have adapted to be distributed by wind.
Planning fieldwork
Instrument selection
To measure wind speed we use a digital anemometer. The model we use is the Kestral 3000. The unit of measurement is km/h.
Considering bias
If you choose to record the wind speed during an isolated gust your results may not reflect the true average wind speed. Ensure you are recording the data even if the reading is 0km/h.
Conducting fieldwork
Procedure
Select site for measurement.
Remove Kestral 3000 from protective casing.
Turn on Kestral 3000 by pressing the middle button.
Use arrow buttons to find MAX wind speed setting - MAX and a gust of wind symbol and km/m units.
Determine the direction the wind is blowing from.
Hold the Kestral 3000 out from your body about 1 metre off the ground facing the direction the wind is coming from, holding the base of the machine for 1 minute.
Record the reading.
Turn off the Kestral 3000 by holding down the middle button.
Place the case back on.
Avoiding error
Error can occur if you are holding the Kestral 3000 incorrectly. Your hand needs to be placed at the base of the machine away from the turbine. The Kestral 3000 turbine needs to be facing the direction the wind is coming from to ensure you are getting a true reading. There is also a chance of instrument error if the machine is malfunctioning or broken.
Ensuring reliability
Measure wind speed in multiple spots (at least 3) at your site and calculate the mean wind speed.
Soil temperature
What is it?
Soil temperature is the measure of warmth of the soil. It can vary due to the characteristics and composition of soil.
Soil temperature is affected by rainfall, soil moisture, soil texture, aspect and slope, organic matter within the soil and plant cover.
Why do we measure?
Measuring soil temperature determines if a site is the optimal conditions for certain plants to thrive. Soil temperature is important for plant growth as it influences seed germination, the rate of plant growth, and how fast the roots can take in water and nutrients.
Soil temperatures that are too cold can slow the intake of water and nutrients into the roots therefore slowing overall growth, whereas temperatures that are too high can increase the potential for stress to the roots.
Planning fieldwork
Instrument selection
To measure soil temperature we use a soil thermometer. The units of measurement are °C. The thermometer we are using has an analogue dial that has a range between -18°C and 104°C.
Considering bias
It’s important to think carefully when selecting the spots where the soil temperature is to be measured as it’s easy to select sites that will give biased results. For example, if we decide to measure in the middle of a walking track where the ground is hard and compact (and water can’t easily soak in) then we would get a much different reading compared to the forest floor where the soils are loose, the plants are shady, and there is more organic matter.
Conducting fieldwork
Procedure
Select site for measurement.
Gently brush away leaf litter.
Remove the thermometer probe from the protective casing.
Hold the probe by the top of the metal shaft (not the dial face) and steadily push it into the soil about 5cm deep. If you feel something in the way, stop and try again in another spot.
Leave in the soil for 1 minute.
Looking at the dial face-on, read the number the needle is on.
Record the reading.
Lift the thermometer out of the soil holding the top of the metal probe.
Gently wipe any loose soil or mud off the metal probe.
Place the case back on.
Avoiding error
Reading measurements on an analogue dial will have to be taken with care as the reading is determined by human eyes rather than a digital reader. Avoid this by reading the dial face-on, not at an angle.
There is a chance of instrument error if the probe is malfunctioning or broken. Avoid placing thermometer probe into hard soils or rocky patches to minimise instrument damage.
Ensuring reliability
Measure soil temperature in multiple spots (at least 3) on the forest floor and calculate the mean soil temperature.
Working safely
Most soils contain some bacteria and fungus that can be harmful to human health if they enter the human body. There is a small risk of infection if soil particles enter the lungs or lodge in an open wound.
You can manage this risk through careful handling of soil and instruments, however people with some pre-existing health issues may choose to wear PPE (such as masks or gloves) when working with soil.
Soil moisture
What is it?
Soil moisture is the amount of water content found in the soil pores. The type of soil you are measuring can cause more or less water to be stored due to the characteristics of the soil particles.
Soil moisture can also be influenced by the slope and aspect of an area, precipitation levels, temperature and humidity, as well as the amount and type of plants that are growing in the soil.
Why do we measure?
Soil moisture is important as it directly influences the rate and amount of plant growth and seed germination. The water present in soil allows for the uptake and carrying of nutrients in plants. It is also essential for photosynthesis.
It is also important as it can impact the invertebrates and microbes living in the soil with some species not able to live and metabolise in very dry conditions.
Soil moisture also has a large impact on the rate of erosion of an area with very dry soils being more prone to weathering and erosion. When large amounts of soil are eroded it causes the movement of sediment which can smother and impact vegetation.
Planning fieldwork
Instrument selection
To measure soil moisture we use a soil moisture meter. There are no units of measurement for the soil moisture meter. Instead there is a qualitative 1-8 range with 1 being very dry and 8 being very wet.
Considering bias
Avoid measuring in the middle of a walking track where the ground is hard and compact (and water can’t easily soak in). Instead ensure to measure on the forest floor near plants where the soils are loose, the plants are shady, and there is more organic matter.
Conducting fieldwork
Procedure
Select site for measurement.
Gently brush away leaf litter.
Hold the probe by the top of the metal shaft (not the dial) and steadily push it into the soil about 5cm deep. If you feel something in the way, stop and try again in another spot.
Hold down the white button on the side of the dial.
Looking at the lower green dial face-on, read the number the needle is on while still holding the white button.
Record the reading.
Lift the meter out of the soil holding the top of the metal probe.
Gently wipe any loose soil or mud off the metal probe.
Avoiding error
Reading measurements on an analogue dial will have to be taken with care as the reading is determined by human eyes rather than a digital reader. Avoid this by reading the dial face-on, not at an angle. Ensure the reading is being taken from the lower green dial and not the upper red dial (this gives a pH reading).
There is a chance of instrument error if the probe is malfunctioning or broken. Avoid placing the probe into hard soils or rocky patches to minimise instrument damage.
Ensuring reliability
Measure soil moisture in multiple spots (at least 3) on the forest floor and calculate the mean soil moisture level.
Working safely
Most soils contain some bacteria and fungus that can be harmful to human health if they enter the human body. There is a small risk of infection if soil particles enter the lungs or lodge in an open wound.
You can manage this risk through careful handling of soil and instruments, however people with some pre-existing health issues may choose to wear PPE (such as masks or gloves) when working with soil.
Soil texture
What is it?
Soil texture is the proportion of sand, silt and clay that makes up the soil. The composition and properties that make up the texture of the soil will be determined by the parent material the soil is made of and the conditions in which the parent material was broken down.
Why do we measure?
Soil texture can influence the amount of water the soil can hold as well as the rate the water can move through it. This can then affect the type of vegetation that can grow within the soil as well as how successful the plant growth will be.
Sandy soils have larger grain sizes which creates larger pores within the soil. This allows for more aeration but does not hold as much water or nutrients. Clay soils have smaller grain sizes which creates smaller pores within the soil. This generally allows for more water to be held with a greater nutrient supply.
Different vegetation types require different types of soils with some preferring sandy soils that allow for greater movement of water and others requiring clay soils that allow for greater nutrients.
Planning fieldwork
Instrument selection
To measure soil texture we don’t use an instrument but instead use a qualitative observation by feel. We will be able to distinguish between sandy organic soils and clay soils.
Conducting fieldwork
Procedure
Select site for measurement.
Gently brush away leaf litter.
Use a trowel to collect soil.
Place soil in your hand and feel the texture with your fingers.
Determine if the soil is gritty or plasticy.
Record sandy soil for a gritty texture and clay for a plasticy texture.
Return soil to ground and clean hands.
Avoiding error
Ensure you are getting the correct reading of the level of soil you are after. Just below the leaf litter is the topsoil and provides most of the nutrients and contains most of the soil organisms. The subsoil is below this and may be a different soil texture to the topsoil.
Working safely
Most soils contain some bacteria and fungus that can be harmful to human health if they enter the human body. There is a small risk of infection if soil particles enter the lungs or lodge in an open wound.
You can manage this risk through careful handling of soil and instruments, however people with some pre-existing health issues may choose to wear PPE (such as masks or gloves) when working with soil.
Soil pH
What is it?
Soil pH is an indication of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil, based on the hydrogen ions present in the soil which can influence the growth and type of vegetation. The pH scale goes from 1-14 with 1 being very acidic, 14 being very alkaline and 7 being neutral. Most soil pH values range from 3 to 10.
Why do we measure?
Soil pH directly affects the availability of nutrients that are soluble in water within the soil. This then impacts the amount of nutrients that are available to plants. Depending on the nutrients, some are more available in acidic soils and others in alkaline soils.
Different plants will thrive best in different soil ranges depending on the nutrients they require with some . Generally eucalypt forests prefer slightly acidic soils around pH 5-6.
Planning fieldwork
Instrument selection
To measure soil pH we will use the saturated paste method. This requires indicator solution, barium sulphate powder, a pH indicator chart and a small, white card.
Considering bias
Avoid measuring in the middle of a walking track where the ground is hard and compact and may have been impacted by human interaction. Instead ensure to measure on the forest floor near plants.
Conducting fieldwork
Procedure
Select site for measurement.
Gently brush away leaf litter.
Collect a small amount of soil using a trowel and place on white card.
Add a few drops of indicator to the soil sample until it is a damp mixture.
Using a small stick mix indicator and soil together.
Add a thin layer of barium sulphate powder to the top of the soil mixture. Do not mix in.
Wait 30 seconds for powder to change colour.
Record pH reading based on colour change using the pH indicator chart.
Scrape soil mixture into a container for disposal and pack away equipment into container.
Avoiding error
Human error can occur when comparing the colour change in the barium sulphate powder to the pH indicator chart. Having multiple people check and corroborate the result.
Ensure the barium sulphate powder is not mixed into the soil mixture because this would make the colour change less prominent.
Collecting the soil with a trowel also ensures there is no contamination of the soil after human handling.
Ensuring reliability
Measure soil pH in multiple spots (at least 3) on the forest floor and calculate the mean soil pH.
Working safely
Most soils contain some bacteria and fungus that can be harmful to human health if they enter the human body. There is a small risk of infection if soil particles enter the lungs or lodge in an open wound.
You can manage this risk through careful handling of soil and instruments, however people with some pre-existing health issues may choose to wear PPE (such as masks or gloves) when working with soil.
Biotic factors
Leaf litter coverage
What is it?
Leaf litter is the upper organic layer in the soil made up of fallen leaves, bark and sticks that come from the surrounding vegetation that are slowly decomposing to become part of the soil below. Leaf litter can vary in thickness and nutrient levels based on different factors such as the type of vegetation, climate and slope of the area.
Why do we measure?
The leaf litter is a very important habitat component of many ecosystems. Many invertebrates live within leaf litter that help to decompose the organic matter which allows for the transfer of nutrients into the below soil. The leaf litter is also used by vertebrates as nesting material and shelter as a food source. Adequate coverage of leaf litter also protects soil from losing too much moisture.
Planning fieldwork
Instrument selection
To measure leaf litter coverage we use a quadrat. For our surveys we use a quadrat that is 0.5m x 0.5m making the sample area 0.25m2. The quadrat is divided into 25 smaller grid squares with string that help with the estimation of leaf litter coverage. Each grid square represents 4% coverage.
Considering bias
We can create bias in sampling leaf litter coverage by choosing where we place the quadrat, for example only in areas that have high leaf litter coverage or only on walking tracks that have little leaf litter coverage. To ensure we are not placing bias on the areas sampled we can randomise our placement of the quadrat.
Conducting fieldwork
Procedure
Select suitable site for measurement.
Find a small object such as a stick from the ground.
Carefully throw the small stick over your shoulder while another person watches to see where it falls.
Place the corner of the quadrat in the spot the stick landed.
Estimate the coverage of leaf litter within the quadrat using the grid square sections.
Avoiding error
Each grid square that has been created by string through the quadrat represents 4% of the total area. This needs to be used correctly when adding up the total amount of squares that contain leaf litter. If only half of a grid square section is taken up by leaf litter this would represent 2%. Estimation of the leaf litter coverage can occur by looking over each of the grid squares.
Ensuring reliability
Measure leaf litter coverage in multiple spots (at least 3) around a few plant patches and calculate the mean leaf litter coverage.
Vegetation identification
What is it?
Different environments will contain a variety of different vegetation types that contribute to the functioning of the ecosystem as a whole. Different plants will have their own role in the ecosystem such as a food source or shelter for animals.
Why do we measure?
The plants that are found in an environment are important habitat elements and it is important there is biodiversity to ensure the health of the environment. Knowing what plants are present in the environment can provide assistance in ensuring certain species and their genetic diversity are protected to maintain biodiversity.
Planning fieldwork
Instrument selection
To determine what vegetation types are present in an environment a vegetation identification booklet will be used that contains images of plants.
Conducting fieldwork
Procedure
Locate the Vegetation ID booklet.
Determine if the plant you are identifying is a ground cover, shrub or tree - find corresponding pages in Vegetation ID booklet.
Start by observing leaf shape, colour, size and branching pattern to determine plant type.
If needed use bark colour and texture, seed pods, flowers or any other distinguishing features to be able to identify the plant.
Avoiding error
Identifying plants can be really challenging sometimes, especially when there are lots of different species that look similar. It is important to carefully observe each part of the plant that relates to the photo provided in the identification booklet and focus on key features that will help in determining the plant species.
Using mobile technologies
Mobile apps can also be useful tools to collect, record and collate fieldwork data.
Useful apps
Plant identification
The Trees Near Me NSW app, a project of the Department of Planning and Environment, shows you what plants are growing now, and what used to grow, throughout our state.
iNaturalist is a social network for sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature. The primary goal is to connect people to nature, and the secondary goal is to generate scientifically valuable biodiversity data from these personal encounters.
iNaturalist helps you identify plants and animals with visually similar suggestions and verification by dedicated contributors. Get connected with a community of over a million scientists and naturalists who can help you learn more about nature! By recording and sharing your observations, you'll create research-quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature.
Arboreal tree (Apple devices only)
The app uses AR technology in your phone to measure the distance from the tree and the angle to the top of the tree to get an estimate of its height.
BioCollect is an advanced, but simple-to-use data collection tool for biodiversity science. It was developed by the Atlas of Living Australia in collaboration with many organisations to assist users in collecting field data for their own projects as well as to enable new biodiversity data to be easily copied into the ALA where it can be available for others to use in research, policy and management. This allows individual projects to collectively contribute to “big science”.
Animal identification
NSW Field Guide - Australian Museum
Explore and identify the unique and diverse fauna of New South Wales. Field Guide to NSW Fauna is a valuable tool for anyone with an interest in wildlife. Use it in urban, bush and coastal environments to learn more about the animals around you. Browse over 1000 species including birds, mammals, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, insects, arachnids and more.
Australia's first national frog identification program.
The project focuses on five bird species: Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Australian Brush-turkey, Australian White Ibis, Little Corella, and Long-billed Corella. Their whereabouts, behaviours, communal roosts, and nest sites are of interest to researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, and the University of Sydney.
Record pest animal activity in your local area to protect farms, biodiversity and communities.
The Waterbug App v2.0 allows you to complete a Waterbug Survey so you can add a river health assessment to The National Waterbug Blitz.
iNaturalist is a social network for sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature. The primary goal is to connect people to nature, and the secondary goal is to generate scientifically valuable biodiversity data from these personal encounters.
iNaturalist helps you identify plants and animals with visually similar suggestions and verification by dedicated contributors. Get connected with a community of over a million scientists and naturalists who can help you learn more about nature! By recording and sharing your observations, you'll create research-quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature.
BioCollect is an advanced, but simple-to-use data collection tool for biodiversity science. It was developed by the Atlas of Living Australia in collaboration with many organisations to assist users in collecting field data for their own projects as well as to enable new biodiversity data to be easily copied into the ALA where it can be available for others to use in research, policy and management. This allows individual projects to collectively contribute to “big science”.
Water quality
How healthy is our water? What does the colour indicate? Use this measurement app to contribute measurements, and join the EyeOnWater community.
The Waterbug App v2.0 allows you to complete a Waterbug Survey so you can add a river health assessment to The National Waterbug Blitz.
Spatial data
Epicollect5 is a free and easy-to-use mobile data-gathering platform. It provides both the web and mobile application for the generation of forms (questionnaires) and freely hosted project websites for data collection.
Use Survey123 to capture reliable data from familiar devices while either online or offline. With surveys published to ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise, data is securely uploaded to ArcGIS for further analysis.
Fieldwork safety
‘Emergency +’ is a national app developed by Australia’s emergency services and their government industry partners, helping people to call the right number at the right time, anywhere in Australia. Emergency + also includes SES and Police Assistance Line numbers as options, so non-emergency calls are made to the most appropriate number.
Hazards Near Me NSW shows information and warnings about bush fires and floods across NSW, using information directly from emergency services.
Navigation
AllTrails is a fitness and travel mobile app used in outdoor recreational activities. The service allows users to access a database of trail maps, which includes crowdsourced reviews and images.
Easily track all your outdoor activities and turn them into beautiful stories, including animated 3D videos.
Citizen science
Australia's first national frog identification program.
The project focuses on five bird species: Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Australian Brush-turkey, Australian White Ibis, Little Corella, and Long-billed Corella. Their whereabouts, behaviours, communal roosts, and nest sites are of interest to researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, and the University of Sydney.
Record pest animal activity in your local area to protect farms, biodiversity and communities.
The Waterbug App v2.0 allows you to complete a Waterbug Survey so you can add a river health assessment to The National Waterbug Blitz.
iNaturalist is a social network for sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature. The primary goal is to connect people to nature, and the secondary goal is to generate scientifically valuable biodiversity data from these personal encounters.
iNaturalist helps you identify plants and animals with visually similar suggestions and verification by dedicated contributors. Get connected with a community of over a million scientists and naturalists who can help you learn more about nature! By recording and sharing your observations, you'll create research-quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature.
BioCollect is an advanced, but simple-to-use data collection tool for biodiversity science. It was developed by the Atlas of Living Australia in collaboration with many organisations to assist users in collecting field data for their own projects as well as to enable new biodiversity data to be easily copied into the ALA where it can be available for others to use in research, policy and management. This allows individual projects to collectively contribute to “big science”.
How healthy is our water? What does the colour indicate? Use this measurement app to contribute measurements, and join the EyeOnWater community.