Submitting Observations

Observations are the core data unit in TerraSitu. Each observation captures location, time, photos, and structured form data collected in the field.

Using the Mobile App

The mobile app is designed for offline field use:

1. Download Survey Packages - Before heading to the field, sync your assigned surveys. This downloads all form templates, GIS layers, and map tiles for offline use.
2. Open a Survey - Select the survey you're working on from the survey list
3. Add Observation - Tap the add button to create a new observation at your current location
4. Fill in the Form - Complete the structured data form (species, context type, condition, etc.)
5. Attach Photos - Capture photos directly from the app. They are automatically geo-tagged with GPS coordinates and EXIF data.
6. Save - The observation is saved locally on your device

GPS and Location

• Your current GPS coordinates are captured automatically
• GPS accuracy is displayed so you know the reliability of the fix
• Coordinate formats available: Decimal Degrees, DMS, UTM, Grid Reference
• For higher accuracy, connect an external Bluetooth GPS receiver

Syncing Data

When you're back in connectivity:

1. Open the app and go to Sync
2. Your queued observations will upload automatically
3. Sync status shows per-observation progress
4. If conflicts are detected (another user modified the same data), you'll be notified

Offline Capabilities

TerraSitu is built offline-first:

• All form templates and map tiles are bundled in the survey package
• Observations, photos, and GPS tracks are stored locally
• You can work for days without connectivity
• Sync happens automatically when connection is restored
• Failed uploads are retried with exponential backoff

Reviewing Observations

Once synced, observations appear on the web portal:

• Map View - See all observations plotted on the map with symbology and clustering
• Data Table - Search, sort, and bulk-edit observations
• QA Review - Flag observations for review, approve, or request re-survey