Beyond Location Names

In Chapter 2.1, you learned about the location hierarchy. Locations are properties. Subdivisions are internal divisions. Features are specific points of interest. Chapter 9 builds on this foundation. Visual mapping transforms location data into powerful spatial tools.

Maps are not just pretty pictures. They are interactive management tools. Maps help you see patterns, understand animal movements, enforce biosecurity protocols, and make location-based decisions quickly.

What This Chapter Covers

Map Manager Overview (9.1) - Understanding the visual mapping system, what maps show, and how to navigate them

Creating & Editing Locations (9.2) - Drawing boundaries, defining subdivisions, managing location types, and marking features on maps

Visualising Animal Locations (9.3) - Seeing current animal positions, exploring movement history, conducting location-based searches, and understanding spatial patterns

Biosecurity Zone Mapping (9.4) - Defining security zones, visualising risk levels, controlling access by zone, and mapping quarantine areas

Why Maps Matter

Spatial awareness - Understanding where animals are right now. Which subdivisions are occupied. How your property is organised.

Movement visualisation - See where animals have been. Identify movement patterns. Trace biosecurity contacts through location sharing.

Biosecurity enforcement - Visual zones show restricted areas. Quarantine boundaries appear clearly. Access control requirements are obvious at a glance.

Decision support - Maps help answer location-based questions. Which paddocks are ready for grazing? Where should I move this quarantined animal? Which animals shared locations with the sick individual?

Pattern recognition - Spatial patterns reveal insights invisible in lists and tables. Seasonal grazing rotations become visible. Disease spread paths appear clearly. Habitat preferences emerge.

Communication tool - Maps create shared understanding across teams. Everyone sees the same spatial picture.

How Maps Work in Kora

Kora uses industry-standard mapping technology. Maps display your locations with precise boundaries. Accurate GPS coordinates appear. Layered information shows multiple details.

Interactive layers:

• Base maps - Satellite imagery or street maps showing real-world context
• Location boundaries - Your property boundaries drawn precisely on the map
• Subdivision boundaries - Internal divisions outlined within locations (paddocks, exhibits, zones)
• Animal positions - Current animal locations marked with species-specific indicators
• Features - Water sources, buildings, fences, gates, and other important points
• Biosecurity zones - Colour-coded security areas showing access restrictions

Interaction methods:

• Click locations to see details (animals present, subdivision information, area calculations)
• Zoom in and out to see property overview or detailed subdivision views
• Toggle layers on and off to focus on specific information
• Search by location name or animal
• Draw and edit boundaries directly on the map
• Filter by animal type, location type, or biosecurity status

Maps adapt to your context. Farm paddocks, zoo exhibits, wildlife territories, or marine tank sections all display appropriately. The same underlying system serves all contexts.

Desktop vs Mobile for Maps

Desktop excels at:

• Creating and editing location boundaries (precise drawing with mouse)
• Viewing complex maps with multiple layers
• Analysing movement history over time
• Managing biosecurity zone configurations
• Planning property changes or rotations

Mobile works well for:

• Viewing current animal locations in the field
• Quick location lookups (Which animals are in this paddock?)
• Recording GPS coordinates for field observations
• Checking biosecurity zone status on the go
• Simple location searches

Both platforms show the same map data. Choose based on whether you are planning (desktop) or operating in the field (mobile).

Map Use Cases Across Contexts

Dairy Farm:

• Visualise paddock rotations across seasonal grazing cycles
• See which paddocks have animals currently
• Track animal movements between milking parlour, paddocks, and treatment areas
• Identify biosecurity quarantine zones

Zoo:

• Map all exhibits with animal species displayed
• Show behind-the-scenes areas (holding, quarantine, veterinary)
• Track animal transfers between exhibits
• Display public versus restricted access zones

Wildlife Reserve:

• Map territories and habitat zones
• Visualise wildlife movement patterns (especially GPS-collared animals)
• Define conservation zones and protection areas
• Track seasonal migration routes

Veterinary Clinic:

• Map facility layout (examination rooms, surgery, recovery, isolation)
• Track patient locations within facility
• Show quarantine and biosecurity zones
• Display equipment and resource locations

Aquaculture and Marine Facility:

• Map tank systems and water zones
• Show deep water versus shallow water sections
• Display quarantine tanks and medical bays
• Track species distribution across tanks

Your context determines what you map. The mapping tools work consistently across all scenarios.

Maps and Other Features

Maps integrate deeply with other Kora features:

Animal Management (Chapter 8): Maps show current animal locations. This makes it easy to find animals and understand population distribution.

Movements (Chapter 7.3): Every movement record updates animal positions on maps. Movement history creates visual trails.

Biosecurity (Chapter 11): Biosecurity zones are defined visually on maps. Colour-coded risk levels and access restrictions appear clearly.

Observations (Chapter 7.1): Field observations can auto-capture GPS coordinates. This marks exact observation locations on maps.

Tasks (Chapter 7.2): Location-based tasks can be visualised on maps. This shows work to be done in specific areas.

Traceability (Chapter 12): Movement history on maps supports biosecurity contact tracing and regulatory compliance.

Maps are the spatial lens through which you view all these interconnected features.