While watching a wildlife documentary on National Geographic, you may have seen wildlife biologists working in ecosystems to conserve threatened species. Maybe you saw them tranquillising and putting radio-tracking collars on tigers or surveying mangrove swamps with spotlights for crocodile presence. These biologists were conducting what is known as fieldwork. In the following, we will discuss the different aspects of fieldwork- its definition, its purpose, the supplies needed, its methods, and an example.
Definition of fieldwork
In ecology, fieldwork often involves conducting surveys, collecting samples, taking photos, and more.
It requires skills that are different from those used in a laboratory setting.
Fieldwork refers to data collection that occurs in a natural setting, outside the lab or other indoor environments.
Fieldwork often requires using technology (such as GPS, drones, and boats) and may require significant physical investment, such as hiking and camping. There are no specific steps to conducting fieldwork, but all fieldwork includes at least the following:
a pre-work/planning step
the actual fieldwork step
an analysis/presentation step.
Figure 1: Wildlife biologists conducting fieldwork in Louisiana, USA. Source: Wiki Commons, Public Domain
The purpose and importance of fieldwork
In ecology, the purpose of fieldwork is to allow for the collection of real-world data in a natural setting. The collection of real-world data is vital to understanding the current status of and threats to ecosystems.
When studying wildlife, for example, fieldwork allows for collecting population data through surveys, the assessment of habitat and existing or potential future threats (e.g., resource depletion, deforestation, etc.)
Fieldwork also allows for the capture and physical assessment of individual organisms and interviews with local residents to determine local attitudes toward and utilisation of the target species. There are generally two types of fieldwork in ecology- direct surveys and indirect surveys.
Direct surveys involve the observation of flora and fauna in their natural habitat. The researchers do not necessarily need to be present, as images captured by camera traps are considered a form of direct survey.
Indirect surveys involve identifying the signs that a species is present in a given area. These signs may include footprints, drag marks, slides, faeces, or the remains of prey species.
Fieldwork supplies
The supplies used in fieldwork depend mainly upon the kind of fieldwork being conducted and what you are collecting.
For wildlife population surveys, for example, you will likely require a high-powered spotlight and/or headlamp. You may need a GPS, a camera, some sort of data entry device or a notepad, and perhaps even a boat or an all-terrain vehicle.
You will also need the proper clothing, including boots, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt, as well as occasionally mosquito repellent and 70% isopropyl alcohol.
If you need to capture animals for biological data collection, you may also require the necessary equipment for efficient and safe capture, such as notes, nets or even cages.
In modern fieldwork, drones are being used more frequently, particularly in wildlife fieldwork, since drones allow for viewing areas inaccessible on foot or by vehicle. Some researchers also use camera traps placed strategically in a species' habitat in order to help determine its presence and status.
Fieldwork research
Fieldwork requires a fair amount of preparation in advance, particularly research. In ecology, you may need to research the available literature and previously collected data to ensure that you are not conducting fieldwork in a recently assessed location for the same reason.
Prior to conducting your fieldwork:
It is necessary to ensure that you have all of the proper permits to conduct fieldwork in the given area.
You also need to map out the location extensively, measuring whichever trails or waterways you may be utilising for movement.
Understanding local climate and weather patterns are vital to ensure you conduct the fieldwork during the correct time of year for your target ecosystem or species.
Additionally, knowing what potential hazards you may face, such as mosquito-borne illnesses (e.g., malaria and dengue fever) and civil conflict, and what animal species may be present (e.g., threatened species whose presence you should make a note of) is essential for your safety.
Lastly, you will want to be sure you understand the local culture and customs. This is of particular importance if you are planning on conducting interviews with local residents.
Methods of fieldwork
While out in the field, collecting data is the name of the game. The methods used when conducting fieldwork include:
Observation involves collecting data from watching organisms and/or their habitat. Observation plays a vital role in fieldwork and may include activities such as directly watching wildlife and reviewing video recordings from camera traps. While collecting data, the information observed may consist of predator-prey relationships, response to anthropogenic pressures (such as encroachment), response to invasive species, and much more.
Sampling involves the collection of data in the field. This may include the collection of individual organisms, biological samples (such as blood or faeces), abiotic material (such as water), and more.
There are generally considered to be three types of sampling techniques:
- Random sampling, where there is an equal chance of obtaining any specific type of sample within a given area.
For example, if you are sampling insects, you may choose to sample a given 20m x 20m area and collect any insects within that area.
For example, in a coastal area, you may have an estuary and a freshwater swamp in close proximity. Here, you would collect samples from both areas.
For example, you may run a transect line in the jungle from a lagoon to an elevation area and take samples every 5 metres along the line.
Fieldwork example
Borneo is the world's third largest island and consists of portions of three countries- two Malaysian states, five Indonesian provinces, and the small country of Brunei.
The island is well-known for its severely threatened tropical rainforest ecosystem and unique, endemic and, often, threatened wildlife.
Three crocodilian species are native to Borneo:
the widely distributed saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus),
the Critically Endangered Siamese crocodile (C. siamensis),
and the Endangered false gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii).
The latter two threatened species are sympatric at a location known as Lake Mesangat in the East Kalimantan province of Indonesian Borneo.
Given its unique crocodilian composition, Lake Mesangat has been the site of extensive fieldwork over the past two decades to determine the size, status, and threats to both species. One such fieldwork expedition was conducted from 2010 to 2011 to assess the status of the Siamese crocodile precisely.
Preparation and research were required before the fieldwork commenced.
The wetland's location and natural history were noted, and its climate - wet and dry seasons - where water and floating vegetation levels fluctuate considerably.
This information is vital to conducting successful surveys.
The species of vegetation present were also noted, particularly vegetation of concern to the species being studied, such as floating grass maps, lilies, and invasive Salvinia cucullata (a type of floating fern).
These can affect nesting viability and survey visibility.
Potential threats were also noted, including an oil palm plantation.
The fieldwork consisted of nocturnal spotlight surveys for crocodile "eye-shines" from a boat, as this is the most effective way to assess crocodilian populations.
Surveys were conducted in dry and wet seasons since population densities and encounter rates would likely vary considerably between the two seasons due to differences in water and vegetation levels.
During the surveys, GPS coordinates were taken at the beginning and end, as well as at the location of each crocodile encountered.
Species identity and size estimates were confirmed if the researchers could approach close enough during the spotlight surveys.
Ultimately, a total area of 20 km2 was surveyed, and a total of 43 crocodiles were seen, including 24 of which could be confirmed as Siamese crocodiles (the others were labelled E.O. ["Eyes Only"] and could have been Siamese crocodiles or false gharial).
In addition, there were attempts to "hand-capture" crocodiles less than 1.2 m in length. Biometric data (such as head and body length, sex, health status, and the presence of parasites) was collected.
Using different models to extrapolate, the total population of Siamese crocodiles in Lake Mesangat was estimated to be between 52 and 130 individuals.
Figure 2: A wildlife biologist collects biometric data from a young crocodile during fieldwork. Source: Brandon Sideleau, own work
Fieldwork - Key takeaways
Fieldwork refers to data collection in a natural setting, outside the lab or other indoor locations.
There are no specific steps to conducting fieldwork, but all fieldwork includes at least 1.) a pre-work/planning step, 2.) the actual fieldwork step, and 3.) an analysis/presentation step.
There are generally two types of fieldwork in ecology- direct surveys and indirect surveys.
The supplies used in fieldwork depend mainly upon the kind of fieldwork being conducted and what you are collecting.
In ecology, you may need to research the available literature and previously collected data to ensure that you are not conducting fieldwork in a recently assessed location for the same reason.
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