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Insights. For Ecologists using QGIS and other map tech.

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I’ve spoken to Ecologists (QGIS users) and Landscape architects (CAD users) and here’s how to improve collaboration and make Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessments quicker and easier.

Over the years landscape architects and ecologists have been like 2 tribes. One using CAD to design, the other using (Q)GIS for site management and spatial analysis. With Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) there is a real need to collaborate. On a technical level, this means integrating CAD designs to QGIS to create the ‘post-development’ GIS layer. However, as we shall see, there are opportunities for a deeper, more collaborative, approach to habitat design.

Why Ecologists should stop using paper maps and try one of these tools for field surveys with QGIS

Are you still using a pen and paper in the field? Can’t see the point in going digital? Would you like to start using an app to collect survey data but don’t know where to start?

In this article I’m going to look at why you should seriously think about going digital, and point you in the direction of some great tools. It’s easier than you might think.

7 things Ecologists get wrong carrying out a Biodiversity Net Gain assessment in QGIS

You’re an ecologist, I don’t need to tell you BNG is complex.

So, if you are an Ecologist trying to get to grips with all the mappy-data bits of BNG, here is the Maplango listicle of 7 things Ecologists often get wrong carrying out a BNG assessment using QGIS.

 

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    The articles…

    I’ve spent a decade helping Ecology Consultancies make mapping workflows Accurate, Efficient & Standardised. Here’s how you do it, in time for next field season. PART 1 (of 4).

    PART 1: Conduct GIS Audit & Draft GIS Roadmap

    Introduction

    Winter. A time of hibernation for some creatures. Including myself, to some extent! For Ecologists, it tends to be the time when you can finally come up for air after a hectic survey season. And breathe. And have a cup of tea. And start to figure out how to make your survey and mapping processes smoother and better for next year.

    I’ve been working freelance, as Maplango, for a decade now. In that time I’ve worked with 100+ companies, and trained 1000+ ecologists. In this 4-part article, I’m going to share with you the process I use to make client mapping & survey workflows more accurate, efficient, standardised, and consistent. Hopefully it’ll help guide your thinking, provide a structure, or at least stimulate some ideas.

    Conduct a GIS audit

    It all starts with what I call a GIS audit. And that, typically, starts with a series of semi-structured interviews with key staff, often over Zoom. But you could do it in person.

    Topics I normally explore with key staff include:

    • Hardware

      • What type of computers and field survey devices are in use? How are they set up? How much memory do they have?

    • Data Storage & Retrieval

      • Where are the QGIS projects and mapping data stored? On a hard drive? In the cloud?

      • How and from where are they accessed? Do staff work remotely? Are there any barriers to staff accessing the files?

      • Is it all backed up / archived? In what format is it stored? Is it confidential?

    • GIS and related software

      • What GIS and field survey software is in use? How is it set up?

    • Staff support and training requirements

      • Have staff received training in the use of the mapping systems? What are their current competencies, training needs & preferences?

     Develop a GIS Roadmap

    Once I have spoken to key staff, and have some information on the above topics, comes reviewing the information collected from the interviews, conducting additional research, and drafting a GIS Roadmap. This report communicates the findings, and makes recommendations that might include:

    • Hardware / Software

      • Something of a pre-requisite is an IT system that is fit for purpose. Resolve any issues identified.

      • Where necessary, set up new QGIS projects, and/or field survey apps, so that staff can conduct BNG and other assessments in a standardised way.

    • Data

      • Ensure staff are basing their mapping on good quality background data; that they are making the most of open-data, and are able to integrate premium data as needed.

    • Staff

      • Ensure staff are trained and confident using the new software / workflows, have received training, have reference materials to refer to, and support available in case issues arise.

    Conclusion

    And there you have it. That’s how to begin the process of making your mapping accurate, efficient, standardised, and consistent. Conduct a review (or ‘GIS audit’) covering the topics above. And based on that draft a plan (or ‘GIS Roadmap’). It’s not that complex, and definitely something you can take on yourself. But equally, it can be good to get an external perspective. If you feel you could use some expert guidance, drop me a email to matt@maplango.com and we can explore options.

    Stay tuned because over the coming weeks, I will be exploring the 3 key areas identified above, that you will typically need to focus on when updating your mapping processes: People. Software. And Data.

    Matt Davies