Reading path: Coastal field methods →
Start with stable landmarks
Choose features unlikely to move during the study: a path junction, large rock, seawall corner, or building. Draw these first and show how the observation area relates to them. Avoid relying only on temporary features such as a wrack line, puddle, or parked vehicle. If the site lacks obvious landmarks, include several smaller fixed features and explain their positions relative to one another.
A sketch does not need to look like a finished map. Its purpose is to help another person find the same place and understand what was observed. Label the shoreline, access point, and any boundary used in the survey. Mark the approximate direction of the water and land so the drawing does not depend on the page being held a particular way.
Show scale and orientation
Add a north arrow if you know the direction, or use a clear directional note such as “facing seaward.” Give approximate distances using paced steps or another stated method. For instance, “observation rock about 20 paces east of the path entrance” is useful if the note says whose pace was used or labels the distance as approximate. A rough scale is better than implying precision the team did not measure.
Draw routes as well as destinations. Show where the group entered, where it observed, and where it planned to return. Mark hazards or boundaries that affect safe access, but do not let map-making encourage someone to approach a risky location. A map should guide observation from safe ground, not promise that every feature can be reached.
Connect the sketch to the field notes
Give each observation point a short code, such as A or B, and use that code on photographs and data sheets. Note the date and conditions because the route or visible landmarks may look different at another tide or season. If there are multiple sketch versions, number them and preserve the earlier one rather than silently replacing it.
For example, a note might identify point A as “north side of the large split boulder,” with an arrow showing the viewing direction. A later observer can match the camera position even if the water level changes. Include a description of how the point was selected, especially if it represents only one accessible part of a larger shore.
Add coordinates when available
A phone map or GPS can provide a map reference or coordinates, but signal, device accuracy, and map detail can vary. Record the coordinate format and do not present extra decimal places as guaranteed accuracy. Keep the sketch even when coordinates are available: it shows the viewpoint, access route, and nearby landmarks that a single point cannot explain.
Before sharing a map publicly, consider whether a precise location could draw unwanted attention to a sensitive organism or fragile site. A general area may be sufficient for a public report, while a more exact reference can stay in a controlled research record. Finish by checking that another team member can explain the map without relying on the person who drew it.
Have a correction or a source to suggest? Send a note →