The Open Data Kit suite, Mobile Data Collection technology as an opportunity for forest mensuration practices

Abstract

This paper examines the potential for using Mobile Data Collection (MDC) as an effective database supported technology to substantially improve forest mensuration practices. Open source Open Data Kit (ODK) procedures and tools were used during a survey campaign that initiated a local forest monitoring process in the Marganai forest (Sardinia). The ODK suite is practical to use and its procedures allow authoring and use of digital survey forms without users needing software development expertise. Form design enables a high degree of customization to be achieved by means of specifying a wide range of data flow control mechanisms. ODK has proved to be a valid tool for data coherence and completeness improvements. As forestry’s contribution to regional Gross Domestic Product has dramatically decreased, forest mensuration practices have been reduced. Meeting the increased need to monitor environmental assets such as forests requires these practices to be re-evaluated. If regional public institutions took an active part in the process of enhancing forest mensuration, by contributing with open database systems acting as repositories and knowledge engines, support for MDC tools like ODK would potentially be a great opportunity to disseminate the use of the system and boost its development.