The ObservationCount and ObservationDescriptor fields are flexible fields used for recording various types of observation information. The number of these fields varies by BMDE version, with the core version having 5 and the extended version having 14 of each. The fields are numbered, and an ObservationCount field always has a corresponding ObservationDescriptor field, for example ObservationCount3 and ObservationDescriptor3.
The Observation fields are similar to the Effort fields, in that an ObservationCount field contains a value (in this case, typically a count of individuals) and the corresponding ObservationDescriptor field provides the information necessary to understand what that value means.
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Each project may use these fields differently, so it is not safe to assume that ObservationCount3 in one project contains the same variable or type of information as it does in another. However, it is recommended that a “Total Count” of all observed individuals, if collected, is always placed in the first (un-numbered) ObservationCount field.
Information recorded in the remainder of these fields may include counts within certain time intervals or distance bands, counts of individuals by behaviour (e.g. singing, feeding, sleeping, etc), counts of individuals by age or sex, or various others.
The sample of BMDE data below shows the paired observation fields, with a total count in the first field and counts from shorter time intervals in subsequent fields.
As with the Effort fields, if you require clarification on the data contained within the Observation fields for a given project, you should reference the ProtocolReference and ProtocolURL fields (if populated) or the project’s metadata.
Next section: Types of Datasets
