About Monitor
Monitor is
Monitor is the progressive web app (PWA) that enables field data collection using mobile devices when using the Ecological Monitoring System Australia (EMSA) modules and protocols. Users should be familiar with the EMSA modules and protocols relevant to their project and have them on hand while using the app.
Who can use Monitor?
Anyone who is affiliated with an Australian Government NRM investment project that is registered in MERIT is eligible for access to Monitor. Third parties can either be registered for that project as a nominated project officer or as a contractor. If nominated as a project officer, they will have full access to that project in MERIT, including read/write permissions. If nominated as a contractor, they will be able to access the required modules in Monitor, and submit the collected data, but not be able to access those projects in MERIT.
We hope to make the app accessible to a broader user base in the future, however at this stage only projects that are registered in MERIT, principally Regional Delivery Partners (RDPs), and their sub-contractors are our user base. We use RDP to refer to this first user set.
How do I access Monitor?
1. Set up your ALA account
To Log in to Monitor you will use the same details as your ALA and MERIT Account
2. Download the documents
Familiarise yourself with the 'EMSA Manual for Using the Monitor App' and the relevant module manuals
3. Download Monitor Staging
Read the App Manual for steps to correctly download and install the Monitor Staging PWA
4. Practice using Monitor
Start practicing with Monitor Staging, but never put real data into the staging platform. Video guides are available to help you familiarise yourself with the app.
When you are ready to go out and collect REAL data, contact your RDP for access to Monitor Production.
Useful EMSA Terms
Project area/Project extent area – The overall area studied as part of a MERIT project, all the plots in the project must fall within the project area. This area may consist of a single parcel of land or multiple parcels. The Project (Extent) Area cannot be entered or uploaded as multiple areas and should encompass all parcels of land relevant to your project. We suggest this area covers the entire area of your NRM region.
Plot – A specified 100 x 100 m area where data is collected Plots are generally established in locations that are homogenous areas representative of the stratified sampling units (or zones), with consistent vegetation, slope, relief and soil.
Dataset collection – Completed dataset for a single protocol in Monitor or MERIT.
Survey – The act of collecting data, following steps outlined in one of the EMSA protocols.
Module – Section of the Ecological Field Monitoring Protocols Manual describing specific methods to accurately measure environmental change for a specific variable/s in the Australian environment.
Protocol – The method used for monitoring and data collection. There may be one or several protocols described for a Module.
PWA – Progressive Web App. A web application that can be installed on a mobile device, (a tablet or phone) and performs like an app but has greater offline capability.
In-progress data – Data being entered into the Monitor app for a single protocol. The protocol has not yet been completed and can still be edited.
Queued dataset collection – A survey’s dataset collection that has been completed in Monitor but not yet ‘synced with the cloud’ so that it will appear in MERIT and in the BDR. The data in a queued dataset collection is complete and cannot be edited.
Synced dataset collection – A survey’s dataset collection that has been completed on Monitor and ‘synced with the cloud’ so that it is now appearing in MERIT and is on it’s way to the BDR. The data from a synced dataset collection is no longer on your device and is stored in a database before being sent to the BDR. This data is complete and cannot be edited.
Data Dump – A snapshot of the data stored in Monitor
on your device. The EMSA Help Desk may send you instructions for sending a data
dump to them if you’re stuck and they need to troubleshoot.
Where can I get help?
Do you still have questions about the Monitor App? Our FAQ page covers a range of common questions including device recommendations, data access and security and training.
The EMSA Helpdesk can assist you with EMSA or Monitor related questions when you:
- have a specific question or issue not already answered on the FAQ page
- have a feature suggestion for the Monitor App
- are preparing for surveys
- are facing issues in the field
- are submitting data to the BDR
If you are a contractor and your question is about survey design, plot locations, required modules or access to a device with Monitor, you will need to contact your RDP.