Open Foris Ground

Frequently Asked Questions

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Ground

Intuitive survey design, data collection and management with seamless field-to-cloud integration, empowering sustainable forestry worldwide

Launch Ground Web Console

Download Ground for Android

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

1Can I log in without a Google account?

No. At present, a Google account is required to use Ground. Support for alternative authentication methods (such as username and password login) is planned for a future release.

2Is an iOS version of Ground planned?

Yes, a backend is being developed that will allow API functionalities and multiplatform support, including an IOS version. iOS support should be available by end 2026

3Can I include the use of Ground in my project proposal?

Yes. As an open-source project, you can build and install your own instance or use the official Open Foris instance after accepting the terms of service.

4How much does a Ground training cost?

You can find on the Open Foris Ground webpage a wide range of self-learning material available, including the FAO eLearning course, video tutorials, user manuals in several languages, etc.
We also do provide training support depending on needs and availability, ranging from short online sessions to in-the-field train-the-trainer workshops. Please feel free to get in touch with us directly via the contact form.

Data Security & Privacy

1Who has access to my data on Ground?

Access to your data is limited to you, the survey organizers you've shared the survey with, and a small group of Open Foris administrators who maintain the platform. Administrator access is used only for maintenance, support, and incident response, not to read survey content. Ground is built on Firebase, so the data is physically stored on Google Cloud servers; Google manages the underlying infrastructure but does not access or use the content of your surveys.

2How does Ground ensure data security and privacy?

Ground uses industry-standard security measures, including AES-256 encryption, secure Google-backed infrastructure, and granular role-based access controls. Users retain ownership of their data, and access permissions are managed within projects and surveys only by the survey owner.

3What happens if data is lost or leaked?

To reduce the risk of data loss, the Open Foris Ground instance includes automated daily backups managed through the Firebase platform.

4If I use the public Open Foris Ground instance, does FAO or Google have the right to access or use the content of my private surveys?

No, you own your data. They are stored on an FAO-owned Google Firebase account without FAO having access to your data. The data are hosted on Google Cloud Data Centers, i.e., similar to how you may store data on Google Drive but retain ownership.

Data Storage

1Where is my data stored?

Ground is built within the Firebase ecosystem, with all data stored in Google Cloud Data Centers. For the Open Foris Ground instance, the database is hosted and maintained by the FAO.

2Do I have to pay for storage?

No. Open Foris Ground is free to use, including data storage.

3Can I use my own storage infrastructure?

Yes, you can deploy your own instance of Ground using your own Firebase account. Instructions are available here: https://github.com/google/ground-platform/wiki/Ground-Developer's-Guide

4For how long will my data be stored?

Your data will be retained for as long as you keep your account active and Open Foris continues to host the platform. If you'd like your data removed, you can request deletion at any time. In the event of any change to data retention or platform availability, users will be notified in advance.

Survey Design & Management

1Can I modify a Ground survey?

Yes, if you have the Survey Organizer role, you can modify surveys through the Ground web console.

From the survey dashboard, you can click on the gear icon “manage survey” on the top-right of your screen to:

  • Update Settings: Change the survey name, description, or data sharing terms by selecting the gear icon in the top right corner.
  • Manage Jobs: Edit existing job names or add new ones to collect different types of data.
  • Add Tasks: Incorporate new questions, photos, or location-capture requirements.

Don’t forget to click “Publish changes” to save the updates. Once published, the updated survey will trigger a warning on data collectors' devices, prompting them to sync and download the latest version of the survey.

2Can I mix different tasks in one job, such as requiring a photo, a written description, and a polygon perimeter for every single plot?

Yes, you can easily mix different tasks in a single job, combining location capture (like a polygon perimeter) with mandatory photos and written descriptions for every plot.

3Is there a limit on the number of points and/or polygons I can collect in a Ground survey?

There is no fixed limit. However, performance slowdowns may occur in surveys containing more than 10.000 geometries.

4Is there a maximum number of vertices allowed per polygon?

No.

5Are there any topological rules applied to data collection to prevent problematic geometries from being collected?

The UI helps prevent basic errors, but complex topological rules are not currently enforced.

6What is the coordinate reference system (CRS) used in Ground by default? Can I change it?

Ground supports import and export features in CRS84 format. GeoJSON files using different coordinate reference systems can be converted using external tools such as Mapshaper or GDAL.

7If I already have GPS coordinates for, e.g. 500 farms, can I upload them so my field team sees them as green circles on their map before they even start?

Yes, if you already have coordinates for 500 farms, you can pre-load them by importing a GeoJSON or CSV file into the web console; these will appear as green circles on your field team's maps to guide them to the correct locations.

Field Data Collection

1What happens if the collector finishes a survey in the field but doesn't get back to a Wi-Fi zone for three days? Is the data safe

Your data is completely safe even without Wi-Fi for several days. Ground saves all records locally and performs an automatic two-way sync the moment a connection is re-established, even if the app was closed or the phone is turned off.

2How can I verify that my field staff were actually standing on the plot when they submitted the data, rather than filling it out from their home?

To verify your team's presence on-site, you can include a "Capture location" task, which records the exact GPS coordinates at the moment of data entry

What should I do if the offline imagery for the area I need is not available for download?
Ground does not have a limit on supported offline imagery. While these files are generated by country and hosted in Firebase, the feature is currently limited to specific regions. To add a new country, please contact the System Administrators (Open Foris) via this form, who can include it at no cost. For self-hosted instances of Ground, the repository includes two scripts for generating your own offline imagery.

3What information is shared with the QR code created at the end of a point/polygon collection?

It shares the GeoJSON of the collected point/polygon.

Collaboration & Sharing

1How can I invite multiple team members to collaborate on designing the same survey?

When you are using Open Foris Ground, the Share your survey option is found in two locations, depending on your workflow:

  • When creating a new survey: It is the sixth and final step of the survey creation wizard. After you define your data sharing terms, the "Share your survey" screen will appear automatically, allowing you to add participants or set general access before you finalize the survey.
  • When editing an existing survey: Access your survey from the main landing page to enter the dashboard. From there, select the gear icon in the top-right corner to open the survey settings, where you can manage participants and update sharing permissions.

In both cases, remember that any team member you invite to collaborate as a Survey organizer must have an email linked to a Google account, and request access as survey designer here.

2Why is my invitation email not going through?

When inviting users to Ground, please ensure the email address is entered exactly as registered. The invitation system is case sensitive, and mismatches may prevent the invite from being delivered correctly.

3Can I invite a user to 'View' the collected maps without giving them the permission to delete or change my survey design?

Yes, you can invite stakeholders using the "Viewer" role, which allows them to see the collected maps on the dashboard without granting permission to change your survey design or download results.

4After carrying out changes to a survey, will the QR code still be valid and already showing the updates?
Yes, the QR code is literally only a link to the survey. The survey content can change, but the link through the QR code stays the same.
5Is there a regular synchronization between the web console and the app, requesting if there have been changes carried out to the survey?
Yes, when there are changes in a survey the app gets notified right away and updates it locally. It can be delayed if there's limited or no internet connection. In that case the changes will show up the next time you open the app or reopen the survey.

Integration & Export

1How can I use Ground to collect reference points for classification (e.g. land cover in SEPAL)?

Ground can be used to collect reference data in the field and transfer to SEPAL:

Step 1: Ground

  • Create a survey
  • Collect data in the field
  • Export the survey data as a CSV file

Step 2: SEPAL

  • Upload the exported CSV file
  • Open the Classification tool
  • Map the columns
  • Run the model
2How can I transfer my georeferenced polygons from Ground into other software, such as QGIS or ArcGIS, for further mapping?

To move your data, select the triple dots next to a Job on the web console dashboard to download your geolocated plots as a GeoJSON or CSV file. This can be directly imported into QGIS or ArcGIS.

Language

1In which language is Ground available?

Ground is currently available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Thai, Vietnamese, Khmer and Lao

2Can I contribute to add additional languages?

Yes. Additional languages will be added in the future. Everyone can contribute to the translation process on Crowdin to help the Open Foris Team. Contact us through the form.

eLearning

New FAO certified eLearning Course: Open Foris Ground

Ready to take your field data collection to the next level?

Discover how digital innovation is transforming forest and land-use monitoring with FAO’s new Open Foris Ground eLearning course.

This free, self-paced course introduces you to an open-source solution that simplifies every step of data collection — from survey design to mobile data capture and results visualization (once back online). In just 90 minutes, you’ll gain hands-on experience that helps improve data quality, transparency, and decision-making for sustainable land management.

Complete the course to earn a digital badge and join a growing global community of innovators using open tools for environmental monitoring.

Developed by FAO under the SAFE project with support from the European Union, BMZ, and the Government of Germany.

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