EarthRanger allows you to export data in various formats, including KML files and CSVs, to support your workflows in tools like Google Earth Pro and QGIS. Below is an overview of how to work with these formats, their limitations, and best practices.
What is a KML File?
A KML (Keyhole Markup Language) file is an XML-based format used to store geographic data. It allows you to view and manage geospatial information in mapping applications like Google Earth Pro.
A KMZ file is a compressed version of a KML file, often used to include additional resources or provide live network links. In EarthRanger, the exported Subject KML (provided as a KMZ file) does not contain static geographic data but instead includes network links. These links dynamically retrieve geographic data from EarthRanger, ensuring that tools like Google Earth Pro display the latest observations in real time.
Note: KMZ files are not directly supported by QGIS. To use EarthRanger data in QGIS, you must export it in a different format, such as CSV.
Exporting Data for QGIS
To import subject observations or tracks into QGIS, you need to address specific format requirements. Below are the export tools available in EarthRanger and their limitations for QGIS compatibility:
Ecoscope Downloader
- Format: CSV
- Issue: Exports observations for all subjects in a group simultaneously, with no option to filter by individual subject.
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Workaround: Use filtering tools in your spreadsheet software to isolate data for a specific subject. Learn how to do this in Using the Ecoscope Data Downloader
Exporting Observations from the Subjects Section (Admin Site)
- Format: CSV
- Issue: Coordinates are not separated into latitude and longitude columns, which QGIS requires.
- Workaround: Manually split the coordinates into two columns after exporting, learn how to do this in Exporting Observations in EarthRanger
Exporting Observations via the EarthRanger Web Menu
- Format: CSV
- Issue: While coordinates are properly separated, the file does not include subject names, only source IDs.
- Workaround: Cross-reference the source IDs with data from the Subject Summary export in the Menu to identify subjects. Learn how to do that in Exporting from the Menu
How to Import Tracks into QGIS
Once you’ve prepared your CSV file, follow these steps to import subject tracks into QGIS:
1. Open QGIS and Create a New Project.
2. Add the CSV Layer:
- Go to Layer > Add Layer > Add Delimited Text Layer
- Select your CSV file.
3. Configure the Layer Settings:
- Set the X and Y fields to the latitude and longitude columns.
- Choose the correct CRS (Coordinate Reference System) for your data.
4. Style and Visualize:
- Customize the appearance of your data by applying styles or categorizing by attributes (e.g., subject name).
Tip: If you encounter errors, double-check that the latitude and longitude columns are correctly formatted and that your CRS matches the source data.