Michael Dorcas, Ph.D.

Herpetology Laboratory, Davidson College

Davidson, NC

In one long-term field study, students monitor a series of drift fences in the Davidson College Ecological Preserve.  Drift fences are semi-permanent structures used to temporarily restrain animals. Each morning, the animals are surveyed and released.

Although long-term studies are an essential part of the conservation effort, undergraduate research time is limited. Long-term analysis requires the use of data from preceding student research.  Successful data inheritance necessitates standard data collection over time.

Dr. Mike Dorcas, head of the Herpetology Lab, saw an ideal opportunity to introduce handheld database technology to his students.  Using Pendragon Forms, he implemented a solution that would promote consistent data collection and improve field research.

Students collected data using a clipboard and paper forms.  Transcribing the data into the database was time consuming and error prone. 

Long-term investigation and analysis required the use of historical data that were not standardized.

Forms Development Time:

Dr. Dorcas experimented with Pendragon Forms for 20-30 minutes and determined that it could do exactly what he wanted.  A student assistant responsible for managing drift fence data collection developed the form in about two hours. 

Installation:

Each day students monitor the drift fence trapping arrays for salamanders, frogs, lizards, and small non-venomous snakes.  They carry a PDA with a Pendragon Forms application to log and classify each animal before release. 

Drop-down lists and other forms constraints simplify data collection and help prevent classification errors.  Field data is synchronized to the lab database and can be easily analyzed.   

Benefits:

• Improved field data collection process

• Eliminated data transcription tasks and errors

• Students have more time for analysis and interpretation of data

• Reduced common classification errors

• Standardized data collected by different students during different semesters