Using electronic application for monitoring animals in protected areas on the example survey 123

Abstract

Monitoring of the animal world is an important component in the development of world science. Observations of animals in specially protected nature areas are conducted year-round. The goal of the study was to develop electronic data collection forms for Survey123 used for ArcGIS application and to collect field data using this application tested during the field seasons 2018–2019 in the National Park Russian Arctic. Monitoring of the number of Arctic animals (white bears, walruses, seals, etc.) was carried out from the marine vessel and along the walking routes during the polar day by the state inspectors of the Russian Arctic National Park. The results of the application testing were the animal counting field data in electronic format taken during one flight of the 50 Years of Victory icebreaker, on the vessel “Altai” and during three flights of the Sea Spirit vessel. The total number of mammals obtained using the application during the 2018–2019 field seasons was 3,452 individuals, and the total number of birds was 14,457. All animal encounters are referenced by coordinates and presented on the electronic map. The Survey123 application testing during the 2018–2019 field seasons showed the efficiency of collecting animal data in electronic format which makes the data immediately available for processing and analysis. At the end of the field seasons, it was concluded that the electronic application can completely replace the hand-written register of animals.