Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) panzootic caused by H5 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b is constantly re-shaping disease ecology in terms of spatio-temporal spread and host spectrum. Because of this, there is an increasing need to complement traditional surveillance methods with approaches that consider environmental factors into epidemiological interpretation. Although environmental surveillance is increasingly recognized within a One Health framework, environmental descriptors are not always consistently structured, underscoring the importance of adopting standardized approaches for their collection and management. Method A GIS-based framework was developed to standardize environmental characterization of HPAI surveillance sites. Environmental data were collected at nine wetlands in north-eastern Italy, using ESRI field map tool, synchronised through ArcGIS online. Data were validated with field-base ground truthing, stored in a spatial relational database and aggregated into harmonised site-specific descriptors, suitable for epidemiological modelling and analyses. Results This study introduces a GIS-based framework designed to standardize how environmental features are recorded at sampling sites for HPAI surveillance. The workflow turns different types of field observations into organized geographical datasets that can be analysed. When used at wetland surveillance sites in north-eastern Italy, this framework produced consistent environmental data and standardized records for each site. Conclusions The workflow combines mobile GIS tools (ESRI Field Maps), ArcGIS Online/Pro, and a PostGIS database to create standardized outputs for epidemiological analysis. This setup creates a reliable connection between field ecology, spatial data infrastructures, and disease risk analysis.</p>