FOR SYSTEMATIC NATURE RESEARCH

Fieldwork & workflow

Record supported field data locally and synchronise once connectivity returns.

01 / OBSFERA

See the research in its landscape

Combine observation points, survey tracks and sectors with a map or aerial imagery. Bathymetry adds channels and tidal flats: Rijkswaterstaat for the Oosterschelde relative to NAP, EMODnet for Dutch waters relative to LAT; these are not current water depths and are not for navigation.

Point at an amber animal marker, or tap it.

ACTUAL OBSFERA INTERFACE · FICTIONAL RESEARCH DATAImage sources & provenance

Point at an amber animal marker, or tap it.
All example screens →

GPS / EXIF / METADATA

Less retyping. More context for each observation.

Obsfera adds available system data and keeps it with your research. Automatic data depends on the device, files and your group configuration.

Time and position

Recording includes the time and an available GPS position. GPS requires permission and a usable position fix; missing data remains visibly missing.

Sector and survey

The position determines the sector when it falls within a drawn sector boundary. New observations join the active survey; a manually selected sector is retained.

Image metadata

On upload, Obsfera reads available file metadata such as capture time, camera, lens and GPS. A photograph without this information cannot supply it.

Weather and tides

Once automatic system lists are linked, the server enriches survey and observation fields with available weather and tide data. Time and position are required; tides depend on available Dutch monitoring stations and manual corrections are preserved.

Source and interpretation

The source remains visible alongside added weather data. Modelled weather and astronomical tides provide context rather than replacing field measurements.

DEMOOBS / D-026-04

Phocoena phocoena

A data journey with context

Time and position: 12.10.2026 · 10:24
GPS: 51.610° N / 3.900° E
Sector: A · DEMO
Weather and tides: 14.2 °C · 3 Bft
EXIF: 1/1600 s · f/5.6 · ISO 400

DEMO · GPS / EXIF / OPEN-METEO / RWS

LAT / NAP · EXAMPLE INTERFACE · FICTIONAL DATA

Prepare

Configure the survey, fields, participants and research agreements. Check what data is available on the device beforehand.

Observe

Record time, location, behaviour and custom attributes. Link images to the correct observation and survey.

Synchronise & review

Upload locally stored fieldwork when possible. Check queues, missing fields and potential entry errors.

Interpret

Study distributions and patterns. Keep sampling design, missing records and survey effort visible.

ObservationsSurveyAnalysis

HELP & GUIDED TOUR

Adopt a guide for your first steps

The Obsfera owl helps new users find their way and explains individual features to experienced users. A welcome appears automatically on first sign-in; you then choose the tour you need.

The tour highlights buttons and fields step by step without saving research data for you. Reopen it later from your Account or by double-clicking the owl.

On larger screens, one click enables contextual help and the owl flies to your chosen information point. Phones show the welcome only; the guided tour needs more screen space.

Try it here: let the owl point out the screen examples. This interactive website demonstration uses fictional research data.

What is your research question?

Explore how a dedicated research group could fit your protocol, team and long-term data stewardship.

Discuss your research