If you or your group wants to use GPS to record works, map farms or paddocks, etc, then there are a couple of options to consider.
The common GPS units used by government agencies and regional bodies are generally two main brands - Garmin and Trimble.
Garmin units are commonly found amongst extension and project officers. These are relatively cheap, reasonably accurate (+-2-10m), and there is a range of free software to enable downloading to computers.
Trimble units are less common, and are generally used for more accurate survey or monitoring activities. These units can be linked via base stations to gain accuracy in centimetres, but require higher skills, and specialised software.
Some mapping programs currently being used by groups work best with a particular brand of GPS (eg Streets Ahead works primarily with Magellan, ESRI links more readily with Trimble and Garmin).
There are many other brands of GPS units available, so check your local supplier, eg fishing or camping stores. There is also increasing use of GPS controlled systems on broadacre farming equipment such as tractors and harvesters, so compatibility with these may also be a consideration.
What GPS do we choose?There are key issues to consider when choosing a GPS unit;
- How accurate do you want the results?
- Do you want to record and download (link to computer) site points or locations, or just see and manually record point locations? (can this model be linked via cable to a pc.)
- Do you want to be able to create maps with the results, ie enter onto GIS mapping?
- Are there limitations on compatibility that the software you/your group uses, ie will the software only work with a particular brand of GPS?
- What else do you want to use the GPS for, ie showing maps, general navigation etc?
- How much money do you have to spend?
If budget limitation is the issue, consider Garmin or other small handheld units - which can cost from $200-500 each, plus around $50-100 for computer linking cables. You will need to check the availability of pc linking cables, as some models of each brand do not have this capability.
If you only need sufficient accuracy to be able to show where in the landscape a point, or series of points are, and accuracy of a few metres is ok, then the small handheld units will provide this level of accuracy.
If you want to record a large number of points and convert these to a map using software on a pc, then you will need to check the memory capacity of the units, and if they can record points and tracks, and have a link cable to a pc.
Some Options:Have a look at the ForestPal GPS toolbox for more detail and software options.
Garmin handheld units are commonly used, and free software, DNRGarmin is available for anyone to use to download points from the GPS, and convert to a GIS map layer. Click here for information on the DNRGarmin software.
There is a massive choice of desktop mapping Geographic Information System (GIS) software which can be used on computers for mapping, recording or planning Landcare projects.
What is GIS?
Global Information Systems (GIS) are computer software systems which allow users to view maps, create, edit and query map information (layers). The capabilities of these systems, and the skills required to use them, are roughly proportional to the cost of the software.
There are freeware (free), shareware (low cost), commercial (low to high cost) and web based software options. Which one a group uses will depend on a number of issues.
Many government agencies and regional bodies use ESRI ArcMap software. This is high end, commercially available software. Users would need to have a minimum of 1 day and up to a full degree to be able to use the capabilities of the system.
Many local governments use MapInfo, another commercial software model with high capabilities.
For more information on GIS and the data types, have a look at the Wikipedia site.
The following information is purely based upon available knowledge of use, and is not comprehensive nor should be taken as recommendation.
Probably the biggest consideration for this question is budget, with skills the second issue.
If your group has no budget for software, then your best option may be to use the Australian Government or other web based map systems.
Another option is to use free software, or low cost options. For a good range of these, see the links to Wikipedia or ForestPal sites. Note that this is not all the available options - if you want, try a google search for GIS software.
GIS software being used by groupsThe following is a list of some systems known to be in use by community NRM groups, but may not be all;
Free Software:
MapWindow is being used by groups groups in NE Victoria and elsewhere in Australia. This is Open Source, ie free software (only operates on Windows) developed and well supported by a range of users, with additional components being developed. It is designed for people who are not GIS specialists, so is easy to use, capable of creating and editing layers simply, to enable groups to manage a wide range of project information. In the long term, this may be the best free software option for groups and project managers. Go to the MapWindow website for more information.
iFarm Mapping is also being used by groups in Victoria and Western Australia, and was developed in partnership with the landcare movement. It is a powerful, yet simple data editing and viewing system. It is designed to complement powerful packages such as ArcView and MapInfo and allow accurate and trusted data capture that can be shared by the organisation. This is the mapping component of commercial farm management software developed by eAgribusiness, but is currently being supplied free ($20 postage & handling charge). This software is fully compatible with most data and other formats. As a well supported, but free, commercial product, this software may also be an excellent option for groups and project managers. Go to the iFarm website for more information.
Google Maps or Google Earth - these are free web based mapping sites, similar to the agency interactive maps. These are free to use - Google Maps is better for dialup, while Google Earth requires software installed on your computer. Have a look at Google Maps or Google Earth websites for more information.
Forestry GIS (fGIS™) is a compact but robust shapefile editing program, digitizer and GIS data query tool for Windows®. fGIS was designed for natural resource managers who are not GIS specialists. It’s easy-to-use and simple to install. Many power users also like fGIS because they can run it on laptops or home computers without copyright issues, it produces data compatible with commercial GIS programs, and fGIS is free. However, fGIS is no longer supported, and is likely to become redundant soon. Click here for more information and download.
Low Cost Software:
Streets Ahead is a fully developed GIS [Geographical Information System] Streets Ahead's database features provide a powerful tool for managing a wide variety of data types. This software is giving the general public a spatial data system which is inexpensive and easy to use. Even complete novices can learn and use our Streets Ahead software within a few minutes. This software costs between $150 to $400 depending upon version. This software is not compatible with ArcMap, but has a conversion utility available. Click here for more information on Streets Ahead.
The Streets Ahead software was developed in association with and is used extensively by Woady Yaloak Landcare in Victoria.
ArcMap - this is the full capability system used by many government agencies. This is high end, and costs $1-4000 depending upon which components. For more information, go to ESRI australia.
There is apparently a 'Landcare' licencing option which costs less than $500 for ArcMap, but you will need to negotiate with ESRI Australia.
MapInfo - is another high end GIS system used by many Local Government organisations with similar pricing ranges. For more info go to MapInfo Australia.
Please note, this page only identifies known usage, and is not intended as a commercial recommendation. If you know of any further software available, please let us know.
What else do you need to use GIS software?
The software is only part of the use of GIS. The data, imagery or layers are the crucial information sources which you will also need to be able to relate works to areas. While all this software allows users to create layers from GPS or other systems, you will still need a range of other data to make this useful.
Groups using GIS generally work with a few key layers;
- Imagery such as digital aerial or satellite imagery - either scanned or purchased from suppliers - if this is good enough resolution may be able to provide enough detail for most group planning or recording needs
- Roads layer - showing local and major roads,
- Hydrology - ie waterways
- Property boundaries or Cadastre can be helpful
- Regional Ecosystems (REs) layer showing vegetation types for an area.
The difficulty with getting most of these datasets are that there are usually costs associated with the purchase of these. It may be possible for a group to develop a data sharing agreement with their regional body to gain access to these layers for the purpose of delivering environmental works. These data sharing agreements generally operate on an annual basis, but can provide the data at no cost to groups.
If you are aware of other software options that are currently in use, please let us know.
