FAQ

Frequenty asked questions

1. How do I start mapping trees?

Walk to the field where you want to map trees and open the CartoSpot web app at https://interval.cartospot.com/ using a web browser on your mobile device (e.g., Google Chrome, Apple Safari). Make sure your device has an internet connection and grant the web browser permission to access your location. This will help the app pinpoint your position relative to the trees (see Q3). On the landing page, click "Let's create greener cities". Choose the area you want to work on from the next screen (see Q2). You will see a map of the area with red dots representing trees requiring human verification and blue dots representings trees that have been verified (see Q4&5). Find a red dot on the map that represents the tree you want to survey. Click on the red dot and enter the required information (see Q4, 7, 8, 10, 13). If you see a tree that is not in the map, you can add it in by clicking on the "Add New Tree" button at the bottom left corner of the map (see Q6). The data you contribute will support our research in enhancing knowledge about trees, their ecological values and distribution across our city.

2. Why is Crumlin split into ten areas?

The INTERVAL Project is using the National Tree Map (NTM) from BlueSky which has surveyed and mapping all trees over 3metres in Ireland. In Crumlin, the NTM has identified and mapped 9,099. These datasets are very large and cumbersome to interact within a web app. The team at UCD have divided the NTM data of Crumlin into ten areas in order to lighten the load on servers and make the CartoSpot Platform operate more efficiently.

3. Do I need to share my location with the application?

Yes. In order for you to locate yourself in relation to the tree you are about to survey CartoSpot need to know where you are located. It is important that you ensure that you have provided your internet browsers with permission to use your location. For Google Chrome: see here LINK For Apple Safari, see here LINK

4. What do the red coloured dots represent?

A red dot on the map indicates that the only information we hold on that specific tree is only that which has been provided with the BlueSky data and is therefore needing to be surveyed by a member of the Crumlin community. Note, users can filter the points on the map by selecting filter categories in the top of the screen and selecting either data required (red dots) or completed (blue dots).

5. What do the blue coloured dots represent?

A blue dot on the map indicates that the specific tree has been surveyed by a member of the Crumlin community and therefore does not need to be surveyed. Note, users can filter the points on the map by selecting filter categories in the top of the screen and selecting either data required (red dots) or completed (blue dots).

6. If a tree is not represented on the map by a blue or red dot, how do I add a new tree?

As the NTM has only recorded three which are over 3m in height, sometimes users will noticed that a specific tree isn't reresented by a dot on the map. Users can then add a new data point by clicking on the add new tree bottom in the bottom left of the platform. It is them important that users define their location by selecting the crosshairs icon on the top left of the map and redefining the location of the tree using the aerial imagery and the red pin. Clicking submit will then place a dot on the map. Note, this process has only placed a dot on the map. It has not recorded any data about the tree. To complete this process select the dot and complete the form.

7. If I don't know the species what do I do?

In order to effectively map the trees in your area, you will need to download the PlantNet app from your appstore. This app will allow you to indentify a tree species by taking a photograph of the trees leaves, bark or flowers. The app will give you a percentage of accuracy based on the image you provide. Please ensure this percentage is as high as possible by taking several photographs in varying lighting conditions.

8. If the species is not in the list how do I add it?

If you have identified a trees whose species is not already listed in the species dropdown box, do not worry. You can select other from this list and insert the new species in the following box titled, Other Species (optional). Over time we will update the list to include the new species people are finding in Crumlin.

9. Can you explain how I should rate the health of a tree based on the five options?

Tree health can be assessed in multiple ways, like the presence of fungi, mushrooms, cavities, cracks, bulges and wounds in the trunk, discoloured leaves, dead and flaking bark, etc. See this 13-simple-steps-to-evaluate-trees-2; quick-tips-for-checking-the-health-of-your-trees

10. Could you give me examples of a note I should add?

"Ex1: If you see a dot marker in the map that does not represent any actual tree in the field, please add ""tree does not exist"". Ex2: If you see a single large tree that is incorrectly represented as multiple dots in the map (e.g., 3 dots), you can put a note saying ""single large tree represented as 3 dots"". "

11. Why do I have to provide my name?

There is no obligation on you to provide your name. However some users might like to track the number of trees they have surveyed in their community. When all of the data has been completed the team at UCD will produce a data portal where users can interact with, query and spatially analyse the data on a map. The name of the data collector will be connected to the tree so people will be able to see a complete map of all the tress they collected data on.

12. Can I change the location of a dot marker once added?

No. At this point the editing of dot location is locked. If you find that you have dropped a pin in the wrong place, please user the notes field to indicate that this pin is in the wrong place and should therefore be deleted. This will allow the team at UCD to remove any such mistakes at a later date.

13. Where do I measure the circumference on the tree?

The circumference of the tree must be recorded at 1.4m above the ground.

14. There was a red dot but no tree, what do I do?

This is really important data for us at UCD. If you happen to discover that a tree has been removed since the NTM was completed please ensure that you indicate this by recording the current state of the tree as felled. You should ignore all other fields. If you find a dot marker in the map that does not represent any actual tree in the field, please put in a note such as "tree does not exist".

15. Why are we collecting all these data

"We collect tree data to enhance understanding of their ecological values and assess the distribution of trees in Dublin city. This data collection is part of the INTERVAL project at UCD which is funded by Science Foundation Ireland's A Healthy Environment for All programme. The INTERVAL project is run in partnership with Bloomin' Crumlin and other community projects across Dublin. Learn more about the INTERVAL project: LINK

16. Can I collect data in private gardens or grounds?

Yes please!! The more data we can gather the better for the project in general, but also for the community in Crumlin. Knowing what trees are where in the area is vital for us to help the community identify areas for development. Please ensure that you have permission from the landowner before accessing private land.

17. What is the best browser to use CartoSpot?

Google Chrome and Apple Safari are recommended for using CartoSpot. There are some known issues with using CartoSpot in Samsung Internet Browser.

18. Where can I get help?

You can send an email to jose.gomezbarron@ucd.ie to get extended help.

19. There was one red dot but 6 trees, what do I do?

This sometimes happens as the NTM is based on aerial imagery. If for example there are several large trees much taller than some which are located beneath them, the aerial imagey not have photographed them and therefore not mapped them. If you find this to be the case, please follow the process of adding a new tree for each unrecorded example. See FAQ 6 above.

20. How do I feedback bugs or issues?

At this point we are accepting feedback on any bugs or issues you may find through the Societal Impact Champion. Please note the bug or issue in as much detail as possible with any relevant screenshots. We will pass this information to our development team for inclusion in our next update.

21. Can I add multiple images to Cartospot

Only one image can be submitted when saving tree data. To submit additional images of the tree, you can create a new entry ("Save Tree Data") without needing to complete the rest of the survey again.

22. What type of image should I add to Carospot of the tree and should it be landscape or portrait?

Where possible, having 1-2 photos capturing the tree within the surrounding context (e.g., nearby houses, lamp posts, or any identifiable features) can be useful for us to confirm the location of the tree during post-processing. Additionally, 2-3 close-up photos of leaves, bark, flowers will be useful for confirming the species identification.

23. I omitted some tree data, how can I add more.

At this point the editing of the data is locked. If you omitted any tree data in your submission, please resubmit ("Save Tree Data") the additional data below your original entry and use the "Notes" field to explain the omission. This will help the team at UCD to identify and address the issue at a later time

24. I made an error how do I edit it?

At this point the editing of the data is locked. If you notice an error in your submission, please resubmit ("Save Tree Data") your corrected data below your original entry. Be sure to use the "Notes" field to explain the mistake. This will help the team at UCD to identify and correct any errors at a later time.