Pre-Travel Assessment

Overview

It is important to get proper orientation before going to a place for field research. Doing some basic data collection and synthesizing the information will add greatly to the value of the field research and make the trip more efficient. It may even make the difference between the success or failure of the field research.

Information Checklists

The objective is to provide data which allow planning of field activities, including the specification of equipment and supplies which are appropriate for the expected conditions.

The information resources are also important for the interpretation of the field studies.

Logistics

• Maps of arrival area (airport, hotel, transportation links)
• Arrival documentation (if needed): passport, visa
• Contact information (names, phone numbers, procedures)

GPS Locations

Note: All locations need to be made into Google Earth place marks (as well as tabular values).

• Important logistics locations (transportation nodes, hotels, meeting places)
• All key study sites
• Emergency locations
• Interesting features

Climate Reports

• General climate report (the historical record)
• Climate diagrams
• River flows

Environmental Maps

Note: All maps need to be made into Google Earth overlays.

• Rainfall map (annual, island-wide pattern)
• Temperature map (annual, island-wide pattern)
• Soils maps
• Vegetation maps (island-wide patterns)
• Disaster maps (e.g., hurricanes)
• Topographic maps
• Hydrology map (e.g., watersheds)
• Highway map (with major features)
• Cultural map (e.g., ethnic distribution)

Climate Context

• Climate Diagrams
• Holdridge Life Zones (wikipedia)
• Koppen Climate Classification (wikipedia)
• Hawaiian Ecoregions
• Hawaiian Tropical Rainforests (wikipedia)

Weather Datasets

• Daily temperature, rainfall at selected sites (5 year record?)

Plant Floras, Field Guides & Checklists

• Plant species lists from selected sites
• [Selected past-expedition field guides]
• Flora of Hawai`i
• HEAR Database (Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk)
• Bishop Museum Database

Social Data

• Population (i.e., census tract data)
• Agricultural production
• Annual holidays, festivals, cultural events

Skill and Behavioral Levels

Novice

• Goes to a place with little (or no) knowledge related to the location.
• Depends entirely on other people to make all arrangements.
• Has no specific plans for collecting data and makes no provisions for gathering information.
• Does not anticipate any events that are associated with the location.
• Has no information on places that are nearby or which would otherwise provide a comparison.
• Did not make any contacts with people at the location.
• Is not aware of any permit requirements.
• Makes no preparations for being contacted.
• Has neglected to anticipate for the weather, currency or other such things are requires the assistance of other people.
• Is completely unable to cope with emergencies.

Advanced Beginner

• Collects basic information about the location before departure.
• Knows some of the history of the place.
• Establishes at least one contact in the location.
• Makes some of the arrangements for the travel.
• Has a formal research plan.
• Obtains some permits before embarking and knows how to get any others on arrival.
• Knows that something must be done to thank people who provide assistance.
• Is basically self-sufficient on arrival and knows how to obtain needed additional resources.
• Handles most aspects of an emergency but makes some reliance on other people.

Competent

• Has developed a good knowledge of the destination due to the use of a few resources.
• Builds a network of host-area people who have specific knowledge and skills relevant to the trip ahead of any travel.
• Creates templates for information gathering.
• Organizes activities around check-lists so that key tasks are not forgotten.
• Has the supplies and equipment that are appropriate to the place and research conditions, including backup and contingency materials and supplies.
• Can handle most emergencies unaided.

Proficient

• Has an intimate knowledge of the destination through the use of a variety of resources.
• Develops alternative plans that can accommodate unexpected problems.
• Plans creative ways to assist the people who will be helping the work.
• Is able to assist other people in emergency situations.

Expert

• Sets activities in motion that will pre-position resources before the travel begins.
• Coordinates activities (email, Skype) with people well in advance of the travel.
• Cultivates local resources that provide links into the destination community.
• Develops a deep understanding of the places, processes, people and events that allow comparisons to the field conditions.
• Handles language concerns in creative ways, including developing basic competence in the host language.
• Has a number of alternative research scenarios that can be used in case there are barriers to the original research plan.
• Finds ways to assist the host people even before the work takes place.
• Conducts all activities in ways that honor and respect the local culture.
• Provides leadership in emergency situations.

Test Your Preparation

The following link provides questions that you should be able to answer if you are well prepared. This is not an exhaustive list, of course. But it should get you started thinking about the level of your preparation.

• Pre-Travel Questions