Field Maps and Forestry - best practices

[BN-LRR]

Hi everyone! 

I thought it might be nice to share some of our best practices related to Forestry Data collection and Field Maps. 

My organization is currently updating our field data collection systems to use Field Maps.

Do you use Field Maps, and if so, any recommendations or tales of caution to share? 

Thanks,

Brian

[LukeGilner1]

I don't believe I use the Optimize map tool.

[BN-LRR]

Can anyone speak to efficiently using LIDAR data with Field Maps App for forestry field work? 

-LIDAR derived slope maps as a view layer? The goal is to navigate around steep slopes, etc...

-LIDAR derived crown height model as a view layer? The goal is to easily locate tall trees, estimate heights in the area... 

I've attempted to use the raster to polygon tool as my first attempt, but it didn't create the results I wanted. 

[LukeGilner1]

I have created TPK basemaps using LiDAR data to sideload into Field Maps.  We have a canopy height model raster symbolized by height classes.  I used the Manage Tile Cache tool and Export Tile Cache tool in ArcPro to export it to a TPK basemap.

[WilliamTarpai]

@EzraCheruiyot I would like to collaborate with you to build Field maps of Bomet County, Kenya - Lots of good suggestions from members of this community to help avoid some problems....

[BN-LRR]

Update: 1 month of Field Maps using Arrow 100+ GPS:

• Field Maps on iOS and Android mobile devices
• No sync issues, no data loss

Major points of discovery/ improvement:

1) We learned that labelling and pop-ups greatly improve a field workers ability to work with the data in the field

2) After a day in the field, online back in the office, dashboards have been extremely helpful to quickly look at the collected data and make leadership decisions for the next days work. I've made a dashboard that helps sort Quality Control points, GPS accuracy, and a project overview.

3) So far, creating pre-packaged offline maps in Field Maps Designer have all failed. This has not proven to be reliable. So far, I ensure a field worker downloads a custom offline map from Field Maps App prior to heading to the field.  

[LukeGilner1]

At what point are the pre-packaged map areas failing?  If it's during the packaging process, it could be the level of detail settings are too great.  If it's during the download on a device, it could be that the device lacks enough memory space for the map area.

[BN-LRR]

The pre-packages maps are failing at the download to the device phase. It was intermittent, some devices could accept them, some couldn't. We currently have a mix of iOS and Android, and there was no predictably way to know which would fail. 

I've since stopped trying, and have focused on having field users download their own offline map from device. No problems during this method.