Map Features

Track recording, waypoints, offline maps, and KML/GPX import/export capabilities.

Overview

FieldEco includes powerful interactive mapping features for GPS-based field work. Track your routes, mark waypoints, work offline with downloaded maps, and import/export data in standard GIS formats.

Track Recording

Record your GPS path during transects, area surveys, or any field movement.

Starting a Track

1. Open the map from your project
2. Tap Start Track Recording
3. Begin walking your survey route
4. The path is drawn in real-time on the map

Recording Controls

• Pause: Temporarily stop recording (use during breaks)
• Resume: Continue recording from current position
• Stop: End the recording session

Track Information

While recording, you can see:

• Distance covered (in meters/kilometers)
• Duration of recording
• Current GPS accuracy
• Path visualization on the map

Saving Tracks

When you stop recording:

1. Enter a track name
2. Add optional notes
3. Track is saved to the current project
4. Export options available immediately

Waypoints

Mark important locations for reference, navigation, or data collection points.

Creating a Waypoint

1. Tap and hold on the map at the desired location
2. Or tap Add Waypoint at your current GPS position
3. Select an icon type
4. Choose a color
5. Enter a name and optional description
6. Tap Save

Waypoint Icons (7 types)

Waypoint Colors (8 options)

• Red, Orange, Amber, Green
• Blue, Purple, Cyan, Brown

Use colors to categorize waypoints by purpose, day, or surveyor.

Navigating to Waypoints

1. Tap a waypoint on the map
2. Select Navigate
3. View distance and direction to waypoint
4. Follow the bearing indicator

Managing Waypoints

• Edit: Update name, icon, color, or notes
• Delete: Remove individual waypoints
• View All: List all waypoints in the project
• Export: Include in KML/GPX exports

Offline Maps

Download OpenStreetMap tiles for offline use in remote areas.

Downloading Map Tiles

1. Open Map Settings → Offline Maps
2. Navigate to your field area
3. Tap Select Area
4. Draw a bounding box around your study site
5. Choose zoom levels to download
6. Tap Download

Zoom Level Guidance

Recommendation: Download levels 12-16 for most field work.

Managing Offline Maps

• View downloads: See downloaded regions and sizes
• Delete regions: Free up storage
• Update: Re-download with newer tiles

Using Offline Maps

Downloaded tiles are used automatically when:

• Device is in airplane mode
• No cellular/WiFi signal
• You’re viewing a downloaded area

The map smoothly switches between online and offline tiles.

KML/GPX Export

Export your data for use in Google Earth, QGIS, or other GIS software.

Export Options

You can export:

• Observations: All recorded species/data points
• Tracks: GPS paths from track recording
• Waypoints: Marked locations
• All data: Combined export

Creating an Export

1. Open Export from project menu
2. Select KML or GPX format
3. Choose what to include
4. Tap Export
5. Save or share the file

KML Format

Best for:

• Google Earth
• ArcGIS
• Custom styling with colors/icons

GPX Format

Best for:

• GPS devices (Garmin, etc.)
• Hiking/outdoor apps
• Cross-platform compatibility

Export Contents

Observation exports include:

• GPS coordinates
• Species name
• Date and time
• Observer notes
• Custom fields

Track exports include:

• Complete path coordinates
• Timestamps
• Track name
• Total distance

KML/GPX Import

Import existing data as map overlays for reference during surveys.

Import Use Cases

• Pre-planned survey routes
• Previous year’s data for comparison
• Boundary files
• Reference points from other researchers

Importing Files

1. Open Map Settings → Import
2. Select KML or GPX file
3. Preview the data
4. Tap Import as Overlay
5. Overlay appears on the map

Working with Imports

• Imported data appears as a separate layer
• Toggle visibility on/off
• Use for navigation reference
• Does not affect your data collection

Supported Import Features

From KML:

• Placemarks (points)
• Paths (lines)
• Polygons (areas)
• Basic styling

From GPX:

• Waypoints
• Tracks
• Routes

Map Display Options

Map Layers

Toggle between:

• Streets: OpenStreetMap standard
• Satellite: Aerial imagery (when online)
• Terrain: Elevation shading

Observation Display

View your observations on the map:

• Color-coded by survey type
• Clustered when zoomed out
• Tap to see details

Track Display

• Recorded tracks shown as colored lines
• Different colors per session
• Start/end markers indicated

Best Practices

Track Recording

1. Ensure GPS has a fix before starting
2. Wait for accuracy < 15m
3. Keep phone accessible (not in pocket)
4. Check recording status periodically
5. Pause during extended stops

Waypoints

1. Use descriptive names
2. Consistent icon/color coding within projects
3. Add notes for context
4. Take photos at waypoint locations

Offline Maps

1. Download before going to field
2. Include buffer area around study site
3. Test offline maps before leaving
4. Monitor storage usage

Data Export

1. Export after each field day
2. Keep multiple backups
3. Test imports in target software
4. Document export settings used

Troubleshooting

Track not recording

• Check GPS is enabled
• Verify location permissions
• Move to open area
• Restart recording

Waypoint in wrong location

• GPS accuracy was low when created
• Wait for better accuracy
• Edit coordinates manually if needed

Offline maps not showing

• Verify area was downloaded
• Check zoom level includes downloaded levels
• Clear cache and re-download

Export file empty

• Ensure data exists to export
• Check export filters
• Try different format

Related Documentation

• GPS Tool - GPS accuracy and settings
• Transect Survey - Using tracks with transects
• Data Export - Export options