Here’s how to make your ecology mapping workflows accurate, efficient & standardised in time for next field season. PART 3: People.
Introduction
To successfully update your mapping workflows, you need a clear plan to guide you (see Part 1) and the right GIS software and IT infrastructure to support it (see Part 2). But at the core of it all are the people actually carrying out Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments and species surveys—you and your colleagues. In my opinion, that makes you the most important part to focus on.
Ecology is inherently spatial, and many ecologists enjoy mapping; so much so that they’d be disappointed if GIS wasn’t a regular part of their work. Others may be more drawn to species identification or hands-on fieldwork. Naturally, this means there’s a mix of skills and enthusiasm for GIS within any team. And that’s why it’s essential to ensure that everyone has the support and training they need to make the most of the latest technology.
Helping ecologists get the best from GIS is something I’m passionate about. I spent a decade mentoring and managing a team at GiGL, London’s Local Environmental Record Centre, and, over the past seven years, I’ve trained over a thousand ecologists in QGIS through my courses with FSC, CIEEM, and Spatialsesh. In this article, I’ll explore why GIS support is so important, how you can develop QGIS skills, and I’ll share useful resources to help you learn.
Why do ecologists need support with QGIS?
As an ecologist, you likely rely on spatial data to map habitat and species distribution, to deliver BNG assessments and other reports. Many ecologists will have studied ArcGIS at university, and so might already have some GIS experience. But then find that their employer uses QGIS, so they need to migrate skills. Others may be needing to upskill because they are striking out freelance, for their own professional development, or because they are joining a new firm. As we explored in the previous article, the powerful range of functions in QGIS offer all the flexibility ecologists will need to capture, prepare and analyse data.
Another reason for needing support is because GIS data is inherently a little more complex than say spreadsheets. It has both geometric and attribute features, plus needs a map projection. Many of my clients now work also with raster data, for instance from drone surveys and satellite imagery. QGIS has some great tools for classifying such data but these can take some practice to master.
How can staff learn?
Everyone learns differently, so it’s important to find a training approach that works for the individual. If you’re a visual learner, demonstrations and mapping exercises may help, while hands-on learners often benefit from interactive practice. Personally, I find I learn best with I have a live project. A lot of people find Youtube useful but knowing what search terms to use, and how to interpret the information is often the tricky bit. Some of you may prefer structured course, designed to teach, for instance, the core skills needed to carry out a BNG assessment in QGIS. By choosing a learning style that suits you, you can build confidence in QGIS, and maybe over time become the go-to person in your organisation.
Online video & instructor-led courses
While I genuinely enjoyed delivering in-person training with FSC and CIEEM, it wasn’t always ideal for family life, as it often meant traveling and long days away. However, since COVID, ecologists have become far more open to online training, and recording my courses has brought significant benefits. Online training offers greater flexibility; not just for trainers but for learners too.
It allows you to pause and rewind videos, revisit complex concepts, and learn at your own pace. This self-directed approach means you don’t have the pressure of keeping up with a live session. Ultimately, I think this makes training more effective, more accessible, and better suited to all your varied schedules (like those early morning bat surveys!). That said, it can be incredibly useful to have a knowledgeable tutor on hand to ask questions. Which is way all my courses take a hybrid approach, with some tutor led support sessions to support the video tutorials.
Other approaches
Other approaches you could consider, in addition to or instead of online courses, include:
Step-by-step guides, like the QGIS Training Manual, Blog posts and written walkthroughs.
Hands-on learning with real data - set yourself a goal, like mapping a habitat survey, or download and explore data from https://environment.data.gov.uk/ in QGIS
Forums & community support like the GIS Stack Exchange and QGIS for Ecologists Facebook group.
Conclusion
Mastering QGIS is a game-changer for ecologists; helping you work more efficiently, improve accuracy, and deliver high-quality assessments, without the need for expensive software licences. You can learn to build survey forms, integrate and process data to support BNG and other workflows, and process drone imagery all in one place. Whether you prefer self-paced learning, hands-on practice, or community support, there are plenty of ways to build your skills.
By investing time in learning QGIS, you can increase confidence, streamline workflows, and even become the go-to GIS expert in your organisation. Start small, experiment with real datasets, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
If you’re looking for structured support, check out Spatialsesh for QGIS courses, mentoring, and expert guidance, or drop me a line to explore options: matt@maplango.com