From Field Notes to Maps: A Hands-On GIS Workshop on Geospatial Herpetofauna Recording (OTS at the XIII Latin American Congress of Herpetology)
The Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) offered participants of the XIII Latin American Congress of Herpetology a special workshop titled “Geospatial Recording of Herpetofauna: Geographic Information Systems for Field Data Collection. How Geospatial Information Transforms Research and Environmental Communication.” This experience is designed for biologists and herpetologists interested in strengthening how they record, interpret, and communicate their field findings.
The workshop’s main goal was to demonstrate—clearly and accessibly—how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can turn field observations into visual products that are easy to understand and share. By plotting sampling points and records on a map, spatial patterns often hidden in spreadsheets become visible: clusters, sampling gaps, landscape-related trends, and relationships that support stronger interpretation of results and more effective scientific and environmental communication.
The activity took place in two complementary moments. First, an introductory session was held on February 26 at the OTS headquarters on the UCR campus, approximately 300 meters from the main congress venue, where participants were introduced to the workflow that will later be applied in the field. The second component was a hands-on field session on February 28 at the La Selva Research Station (Sarapiquí, Heredia), were participants joined a guided walk along La Selva’s trails while collecting herpetofauna records using free-access applications on electronic devices without an internet connection. Using the data gathered in the field, participants completed a basic spatial analysis and produced rapid maps of the individuals recorded—an applied guide showing how people without advanced GIS knowledge can create maps in a simple, fast, and collaborative way.
Interested in workshops? contact ots.gis@tropicalstudies.org
To learn more, visit CLH 2026 (https://www.herpcr2026.com/)