Field Survey Protocols & Apps
TERN provides resources and tools for the research community including nationally consistent field methods and innovative applications for data collection, analysis and presentation in ways that complement existing approaches.
Remote Sensing Cal/Val Handbook
TERN’s Effective Field Calibration and Validation Practices handbook provides detailed information for calibrating and validating remote sensing derived products in a consistent manner to ensure they can be used for science and management applications. The handbook collates effective calibration and validation practices that link closely with internationally agreed protocols, such as those set by the Committee on Earth Observations (CEOS) Working Group on Cal/Val.
Rangelands Survey Protocols Manual
The TERN AusPlots Rangelands Survey Protocols Manual provides a simple agreed method for anyone undertaking research or monitoring in the rangelands. The manual divides the method into a series of modules and respective collection protocols that can be undertaken as individual investigations or in combination with others. There is also an accompanying app, currently available for Android operating systems, that allows users to enter data in the field and then upload this to a server as soon as a network connection is available.
Forests Survey Protocols Manual
The TERN AusPlots Forests Survey Protocols Manual provides a simple agreed method for anyone undertaking research or monitoring in the forests. The manual details the methodology for (a) the installation of plot infrastructure, (b) the description of the site and (c) the core measurements that form the minimum dataset for a TERN Ecosystem Surveillance plot.
Photo-panoramas
TERN has developed a protocol for taking photo-panoramas that has been implemented at all TERN Ecosystem Surveillance plots, and selected Ecosystem Processes sites.
The photo-panoramas method enables their use as traditional photo-points (static photos), seamless site panoramas (360o panoramas from three locations within the plot), and with the application of algorithms, the panoramas can be processed to generate a 3D reconstruction of the plot, which provides measurements of basal area and biomass.
Field Survey App
TERN has developed an Android app to assist with data collection in the field. The app makes data collection quicker, removes time entering data at a later date along with associated errors, and uploads data to our server, making the data collection process streamlined.
For more information please contact TERN Ecosystem Surveillance
