Field Work

Planning Field Collection 

Although a plan rarely survives once the work is started it is still a crucial step. It allows everyone to be on the same page, know what others are likely to do when things go wrong, and provides the general outline of priorities. It also allows time for those involved to come up with issues they may not have thought of until they were in the field where there is much less ability to fix them.

Wild Animals / Back-Country Collection 

Collecting samples in the wild, especially where there is no road access, provides logistical difficulties and heightened importance for sustainability and conservation. It is important to come up with both plans for if (when) things go wrong, and to, of course, obtain the proper permits to be able to collect samples in the first place.

• Physical Fitness: In this form of field collection researchers are expected to be able to hike up to 7 miles a day with over 30lbs for multiple days in a row. It is imperative then to both avoid loss of life and to avoid the need of “wasteful” remote medical rescue to do practice hikes and to re-condition everyone before collection session.
• Supplies: This part of planning is where we can do the most to reduce our impact on the planet. Before you go on a trip, approximate the amount of food you will need and try to only bring an extra 10%, as just about all the food you bring will produce more unrecyclable trash than food made at home. Your choice of gear can change your impact: use lower impact tents such as hammock tents or compact tents to limit impact on the ground (these both also come with the added benefit of being lighter) and use second-hand or shared gear where possible.
• Route Planning: Perhaps the most important thing you need to do before you set out is to have a route and contingency routes primarily for safety. To decrease environmental impact, use well-worn paths or the least destructive paths if there are no trails.

Large Animal/Livestock 

Planning for large animal fieldwork is the most essential step to ensure sustainable field sample collection. Identify who is the lead individual for each field sample collection day as well as the training status of each person on the field collection team. Additionally, farm communication both about proper biosecurity protocols and how to dispose of waste created by research, is essential. Researchers must be prepared to remove all waste generated.

• Field Staff Training: Training of field staff is one of the most important aspects of performing quality and sustainable field work. Often several staff are needed for adequate animal restraint, and it is the responsibility of the individual leading the field sample collection to have adequate and well-trained staff.
• Supplies: Planning must account for containers needed (in the form of blood tubes, bags, etc.) as well as training of the field personnel.  Bring containers with lids for supplies to avoid contamination and potential environmental pollution with sample collection supplies.
• Farm Communication: Talk to farm personnel about appropriate biosecurity practices and waste disposal practices where applicable.

CVID Insect Collection 

Field collection of insects requires vast amounts of preparation and planning. Those involved in these collections must understand what insects are to be collected, targeted life stage, and location of insects. It is best to start planning these collections one to two months before field collections start so efforts can be made to limit the environmental impact and reduce wasted resources. Planning should include trap types and where the collections will take place.

• Trap Types: Traps are designed to capture adult insects at various points, such as host seeking, resting, egg laying, and mating. Each of these types of traps are built differently and are meant to be placed in distinct locations based on the species of targeted insect. It is important to train all personnel in the construction and operation of the traps to avoid wasting water when attempting to capture egg laying insects.
• Collection Location: Insects can vary in their location even after a few days. Constant observation must be conducted to ensure resources such as gas, water, and batteries are not wasted setting traps that will not collect target insects.
• Environmental Impact: While planning for insect collection, environmental impact must be in the conversation. Insects are usually in stagnant water areas surrounded by vegetation. Since the environment must be altered to collect targeted insects during specific life stages, efforts must be made to minimize impact and to ensure the environment is not drastically altered.

The planning step is integral to establishing the boundaries and the training in which the fieldwork will be conducted. Without prior planning, resources will be wasted and the impact on the environment could be substantial. Once planning has concluded, it is important to ensure the plan is followed.

Conducting Field Collection  

Effective implementation of sustainability in a fieldwork setting requires that everyone know what sustainability practices are in place and follow them. It is often wise to have a “point person” whose job is to ensure practices are followed, such as that all supplies brought to a facility or field location are also brought back.

Wild Animals / Back-Country Collection 

• When going off trail, take care to impact foliage as little as possible (walk on stone, move around branches, don’t disrupt streams, etc.)
• Use a buddy system; groups of ≥3 are best as one can stay with someone injured whilst the other gets help.
• Limit contamination by using separate tools to collect each sample.
• Follow the principle of “leave no trace”: do not disrupt the environment, do not leave anything, and take as little as is needed for experiments.

Large Animal/Livestock Work 

• Establish lead person for field work.
• Establish farm contact and confirm farm/research waste handling and biosecurity procedures.
• Bring appropriate amounts of supplies for fieldwork collection.
• Have adequate staff for implementation.
• Keep supplies in a safe, easily accessible location.
• Protect supplies from wind and elements.
• Ensure the collection team can correctly build traps and reduce water waste.
• Identify areas where insects have relocated to within the field site.
• If vegetation must be removed, ensure the least amount of impact will occur.
• If collecting larvae, reduce the amount of water taken from the environment and use water collected to rear wild-caught larvae to adulthood.

Once field collection has started, it is important to follow the plan established during the planning phase. Should deviation occur, it should only happen after careful consideration with the collection team and efforts must be made to identify possible environmental impacts and resource waste so they can be averted. Teams should iteratively assess outcomes for potential improvements in current and future activities.

Authors: Greg Pugh, Grace Jakes, and Nick Heyer