Inspector Gadget – Mobile data collection for plant

biosecurity

Dr Andrew Crowe Fera

York, UK

UK Plant Health

• Decision Makers – Plant Health Officers - Identify new and emerging risks - Develop biosecurity strategy - Gather evidence and commission research

• First Line of Defence - Plant Health Inspectors (PHSI) - Inspections at ports/airports - Regular field inspections - Plant passports for exporters - Survey/Destruction of Notifiable Pests/Diseases

Risks to UK Plant Health

• UK Plant Health Risk Register • 742 Plant pest/disease risks identified

Key Pests/Diseases • Phytopthora sp. • Emerald Ash Borer • Potato Ring Rot • Ash Die Back • Asian Longhorn Beetle • Pine/Oak Processionary Moth

Manual Data Collection Workflow

OFFICE • Print out paper

maps/supporting info

FIELD Manually record: • Inspection data • Photo numbers • Location

- GPS coordinates - grid references - field names

OFFICE • Re-record

inspection data into eDomero

• Download photo files

• Record/plot coordinates

• Method is inefficient, repetitive and prone to error

PHSI monitor plant health in England and Wales against pests and disease

Mobile Inspection Data Capture Pilot

Aims: • Identify mobile GIS capabilities of software already

available to the organisation

• Minimise need for new systems and bespoke development

• Mobile data model based on the current recording system for inspection data

Mobile GIS Software

Windows Mobile • Trimble Juno GPS

• ArcGIS For Windows Mobile

iOS • IPad

• Collector for ArcGIS

Web browser • IPad/Android Tablet

• GeoForm

• Use existing Esri software available to PHSI/Fera under our Enterprise Licence Agreement with Esri

Mobile GIS Hardware

• Trimble Juno T41 XG - 1-2 meter real time accuracy - 3G/WiFi enabled - ~£1500 (~$2300) - Windows Mobile 6.5

• iPads • approx. 5-10 meter real time accuracy • 3G/WiFi enabled • ~£400 (~$630)

Developing a Mobile Solution

• Database model consistent with fields from current electronic recording system

• Use of subtypes and domains to ensure data integrity and

efficient collection out in the field

• Subtypes and domain coded values identical to those used in the electronic recording system

• Mandatory fields to ensure validity of collected records

Mobile Data Model

Current electronic recording system

Database model Inspection Type domain example

Serving out the Data Model

ArcMap/ ArcCatalog

ArcSDE ArcGIS for

Server ArcGIS for Windows Mobile on Trimble

Cellular and wireless

connection

ArcGIS Online

Collector for ArcGIS

and GeoForm on iPad

Firewall

ArcGIS For Windows Mobile

Collector for ArcGIS

GeoForm

Findings and future work

• Data model was able to collect data in a format compatible with the current electronic recording system

• Range of software options available allows users to select what’s right for them

• Trimble GPS devices provided suitable accuracies to monitor plant health pest and disease outbreaks

• iPads GPS accuracy varied - Look to investigate use with external GPS receivers

Benefits of using mobile GIS for Inspectors

• Improves efficiency and accuracy of field operations

• Provides rapid data collection and real time mapping

• Replaces paper-based workflows and duplicate recording

• Take information in and out of the field

Web Mapping to Support Plant Health Policy

• Advantages of webmaps - People love maps - Interactive interrogation of data - Updated with current information

• Requirements for government - Data must be valid - Must adhere to data protection guidelines

Chalara fraxinea interactive webmap

Mapping Plant Health Risks from Imports

• Aim - To make more use of data stored on inspections

• Objectives

- Map the origin of imports which have been found to have a pest or disease

- Display trends in risk from interceptions

- Link to other sources of plant health information

UK Risk Map of Interceptions

Webmap Attachments

Country Interception Trend Chart

Interception list (links to Risk Register Website)

Acknowledgements

• Mobile Data - Lee Butler (Fera) - Peter Scotting (PHSI)

• Web Mapping - Sharon Elcock (Fera) - Rob Lake (Fera)