This form still provides a wide range of ecological parameters that can be filled out. Probably, not all data are relevant for you. You, as a user must decide which ecosystem data you consider useful to fill out. You can design a shorter printable field form by eliminating those parameters from the printable fieldform that you will not be using. Freeing up space may require some formatting work. You can enter data beforehand that always remain the same, like your initials and the institution for which you work.
You will find small buttons, which upon a click unfolds a “pull down” menu from which you can select the required datum by pointing.
The Full Ecosystem Data Form has been organized to collect data in four major groups whose data will be described in detail:
Tracking data
In the black header of the form you will find a navigation buttons that take you to other data forms as well as a button for calculation of GPS formats:
Calculate :
A dialogue box opens upon click. It will inform you that you are about to convert the coordinates from degrees, minutes and seconds as entered by the user will be converted into decimal degrees, which can be read by the majority of GIS applications. Depending on the number of data that need to be converted and the speed of your computer, this may take considerably time and it may stop all other functions of you computer during application. You are advised to only do this at the end of your day when you no longer need to use your computer.
Water Data:
A click opens the Aquatic Data Form to enter detailed information on water conditions.
Soil Data:
A click opens the Soil Data Form to enter detailed information on soil profiles.
Switchboard:
A click will return you to the previous page from where you can close the programme.
Taxa:
A click opens the Taxa Data Form to enter information on individual species. It is related to any of the previous forms.
Weather data:
A click opens the form to enter the Weather Data Form. The weather data form can only be opened with this button. This has been designed on purpose to avoid entering data twice.