Ad Hoc Plot Observations

Observations can be conducted in user-determined plot locations using the Ad Hoc Plot Observations feature in the mobile app. 

Ad Hoc Plot Observations are set up and conducted in the mobile app and can be done by all user roles. The plots do not have to be located within Planting Sites or have plants allocated to them. They can be conducted at any time, such as prior to planting, for baseline assessments, and after planting, to monitor progress throughout a forest's lifetime.

Additionally, Ad Hoc Plots can be used for tracking live plants within a planted area and for carbon and biomass assessments of a specific area. The former is done through Ad Hoc Plot Plant Monitoring Observations, and the latter is done through Ad Hoc Plot Biomass Monitoring Observations (aka Biomass Observations).

All Observation data is recorded in the field using the Terraware mobile app. (For more information about the Terraware mobile app, visit Mobile App Features.) The Observation data is synced to Terraware, where statistics related to the status of the planting site can be viewed within the Observation details.

This article covers Ad Hoc Plot Observations. To learn more about Assigned Plot Observations, visit Plant Monitoring through Assigned Plot Observations. 

Assigned Plots vs. Ad Hoc Plots

Though Plant Tracking and Monitoring activities can be done in both Assigned Plots and Ad Hoc Plots, there are some key differences between the types of Plots and the Observations that can be conducted within them.

• Assigned Plots are currently only for Plant Monitoring Observations, while Ad Hoc Plots are for both Plant Monitoring and Biomass Monitoring Observations.
• Assigned Plot Observations are scheduled, while Ad Hoc Plot Observations are on-demand (not scheduled.
• Assigned Plot Observations include monitoring plots that are determined by the Terraware application based on a formula that satisfies carbon project requirements. Ad Hoc Plot Observations include one plot that is user-specified.
• Assigned Plot Observations can include multiple plots per Observation, but Ad Hoc Plot Observations only include one plot per Observation.
• Assigned Plots are either permanent or temporary plots, while Ad Hoc Plots are all temporary.
• Assigned Plot Observations take place within Planting Sites, while Ad Hoc Plot Observations can be conducted anywhere.
• Assigned Plot Observations can only be done within Planting Sites that have had plants allocated to them. Ad Hoc Plot Observations can be done within any 30m x 30m area, regardless of whether the area has had plants allocated to it.

Plant Monitoring vs. Biomass Monitoring Observations

Plant Monitoring Observations allow you to record the following, observed within an Assigned Plot or Ad Hoc Plot:

• Numbers of dead and live species
• Plot details

Biomass Observations allow you to record the following, observed within an Ad Hoc Plot:

• Each tree and shrub, including the species and measurements
• Dead trees, tree trunks, and shrubs
• Species abundance found in quadrats
• Invasive species
• Threatened species
• Plot details, including soil and mangrove forest -specific measurements

Setting up Ad Hoc Plot Observations

Before you can conduct an Ad Hoc Plot Observation, you will first need to specify the location of the plot, the area in which you will be conducting the Observation. Each plot is a square area that is 30m by 30m.

In the mobile app during setup of the plot, you will either provide the coordinates of the southwest corner of the 30m by 30m plot, or you would go to the location and use the feature in the mobile app to load your current coordinates, according your phone's GPS.

Access the Ad Hoc Plot Observations in the Terraware mobile app

To set up an Ad Hoc plot:

1. In the Home screen of the mobile app, select the Ad Hoc Plot Observations feature to create a new plot in which you will be conducting the Biomass Observation
   
2. Within the Ad Hoc Plots screen, click the + button to create a new Ad Hoc Plot
3. Within the Ad Hoc Plot creation screen, provide the following information:
   1. Observation Type - this field is required
      1. Select the type
   2. Planting Site - this field is required
      1. Select a site from the dropdown list. The list includes all of your Organization's Planting Sites.
         1. If the plot that you are setting up is within a Planting Site, select the Planting Site
         2. If the plot that you are setting up is outside of the Planting Site area, select the Planting Site that is in closest proximity to the plot or any Planting Site that you want to associate with the Observation
   3. Provide the coordinates for the Southwest Corner Latitude and Southwest Corner Longitude
      1. If you know the coordinates, you can enter them manually, OR
      2. Click Load Coordinates to load the coordinates of your current location. The mobile app uses your devices GPS to determine the location.
   4. Click Save and Next to proceed to the next screen of the setup process
      1. If you exit the plot setup process at this time, the plot will be available in the Ad Hoc Plots list for you to select to continue with plot setup at another time.
      2. Before you continue, you will have the option to Download an Offline Map. If you do not download an Offline Map and continue with plot setup in the field without a network connection, you will not be able to see the map in the setup screens.
   5. The next step guides you through creating a physical boundary for the plot. You will be prompted to go to each of the four corners of the plot, in a clockwise direction. The location coordinates (latitude and longitude) for each of the four plot corners will be provided. 
      1. You can skip the boundary creation steps. Click Skip to not be guided through the creation of a physical boundary.
      2. Confirm which corner of the plot you will start with. The SW corner is selected by default, but you can select one of the other corners (NW, NE, SE) to start with.
      3. Whether or not you skip boundary creation, you will be required to take a photo of each of the four plot corners.
   6. After taking pictures of the four corners of the plot, you can start recording data for either Plant Monitoring or Biomass Monitoring Observations.
      1. If you plan to record Observation later, click Later. The plot will be available in the Ad Hoc Plots list for you to select to continue to the Observation at another time.
      2. Click Start Now to continue recording Observation data.
         1. To learn more about recording data in Plant Monitoring Observations, visit Plant Monitoring through Assigned Plot Observations.
         2. To learn more about recording data in Biomass Monitoring Observations, visit Baselines through Observations.

Viewing Ad Hoc Plots

The Ad Hoc Plots screen lists all Ad Hoc Plot Observations that are in progress. Completed Ad Hoc Plot Observations, which are Observations for which the data has been uploaded to Terraware, do not appear in the list.

The plots are identified by the date and time it was created.

The status of the major steps - Boundary Setup, Plot Photos Taken, Observation Completed - is provided for each Ad Hoc Plot.

View saved Ad Hoc Plots