Expeditions
The Expeditions module is used to organize and document field trips carried out for ornithological research. An expedition represents a defined period of fieldwork, usually involving a team of researchers, specific goals, and a geographic area. By registering expeditions, you can group surveys, captures, and observations under a common context, making it easier to track activities and results.
Open the Expeditions module in the main menu: Fieldwork → Expeditions.
Adding or editing an expedition
When creating or editing an expedition record, the following fields are available:
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes | Short name that describes and identifies the expedition (e.g., "Pantanal 2025") |
| Start date | Yes | First day of the expedition |
| End date | Yes | Last day of the expedition |
| Project | Project to which the expedition is linked (optional) | |
| Description | Brief description of the expedition, including objectives, target species, or study area |
Best practices
- Use clear names: Choose expedition names that are short but descriptive (region + year works well).
- Link to projects: If the expedition is part of a larger research project, link it to ensure traceability.
- Record accurate dates: Start and end dates are essential for organizing surveys and captures chronologically.
- Add descriptive notes: Include objectives, target habitats, or logistical details in the description field.
- Group related surveys: All surveys conducted during the expedition should be linked to it for consistency.
Relation to other modules
Expeditions are interconnected with several other parts of Xolmis:
- Surveys: Each survey can be linked to an expedition, grouping sampling events under a common field trip.
- Captures: Birds captured during an expedition are automatically associated with its surveys.
- Projects: Expeditions can be tied to specific projects, connecting fieldwork to broader research goals.
- Permits: Expeditions often require permits, which can be managed in the Permits module.
- Reports: Expedition data can be summarized in reports, useful for funding agencies or institutional records.
By managing expeditions in Xolmis, you create a structured framework for organizing fieldwork, ensuring that all surveys, captures, and observations are properly contextualized within the broader research effort.