Environmental Monitors

Environmental monitors gather biodiversity and environmental health information in different natural environments. The information that they gather can be used to make informed decisions about the use and management of the environment. This information can be used to make scientific discovers, for educational purposes, or to guide additional information gathering. Traditionally, this information is gathered on paper and then taken back to the office where it is saved until the monitor is ready for data entry. Then someone, perhaps the monitor, types the information into a computer where it is joined with other information from related study areas. It is possible for transcription errors to creep into the data. To avoid this problem we have developed a set of computer tools that allow the information to be gathered on computer directly in the field. This is sometimes called ubiquitous computing.

Forests

We have developed two computer-based methods for gathering forest diversity data. One is a web-based application that runs through your favorite Internet browser while you are in the forest and the other is Persona Digital Assistant (PDA) collection of applications that can be used to gather the same information. Both methods are modeled after the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) ForestWatch procedures (http://ctap.inhs.uiuc.edu/mp/monitoring.asp). Our computer programs are not part of the IDNR program but are used in classroom education programs using similar procedures and data (http://www3.isrl.uiuc.edu/~TeleNature/participate/, http://www3.isrl.uiuc.edu/~TeleNature/participate/BiodiversityTeachers.htm).

PDA data gathering:

We developed a set of PDA programs that guide you through ForestWatch style data gathering. Full documentation and the programs are available at: http://www3.isrl.uiuc.edu/~TeleNature/projects/PDAPrograms.html.

Web browser datagathering:

Web-based data gathering is handled by placing a portable web server in the field along with a wireless network. This is a little easier than you might think. In the forest a laptop computer contains the web server and an optional connection to the Internet as depicted below. The cell phone connection to the Internet can give you text and image communications with experts on call. You can find additional technical information about this at http://www3.isrl.uiuc.edu/~TeleNature/about/.

Contact Bryan Heidorn: e-mail for more information.

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