Norwegian-Portuguese collaboration in technological development of drone-based coastal observations
Coastal ecosystems provide a variety of ecosystem services to humankind such as natural resources (seaweed, fish, shellfish), water purification, carbon sequestration, and coastal protection from waves. In line with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), monitoring seaweed assemblages facilitates useful estimates of the status of coastal environments and provides evidence for environmental changes, essential to implement measures to achieve or maintain the Good Environmental Status as defined by the MSFD.
CIIMAR has since July 2018 been developing an innovative research on the use of aerial images for mapping coastal ecosystems and assessing seaweed standing stocks, under the scope of the project-SWUAV: Mapping the intertidal zone and assessing seaweed biomass using UAV images. NIVA is also leading several initiative on this subject, most recently Seabee - a Norwegian Infrastructure for drone-based research, mapping and monitoring in the coastal zone.
This bilateral initiative will foster cooperation between researchers of both institutions by identifying synergies for advancing knowledge in this field of research. The objectives of the project are to:
- strengthen bilateral relations between Portuguese and Norwegian scientists through exchange of experience and knowledge in UAV remote sensing techniques applied to the mapping of coastal biological communities;
- promote future partnerships for joint research projects; and
- disseminate the acquired knowledge to the scientific community and stakeholders involved on the coastal resource’s management.
Outcomes of the project are:
- to accelerate the development of new methods and tools for aerial image classification;
- publication of scientific papers reviewing and comparing these methodologies; and
- design future joint research projects either in the scope of EEA Grants or other programmes.
From this collaboration, protocols will be developed for planning and implementing missions using drones (UAV’s) for coastal environmental monitoring.
“Drones are the future for mapping and monitoring of nature and natural resources”, says Kasper Hancke, senior research scientist at NIVA.
“The collaboration with CIIMAR, funded through EEA, is a valuable partnership enhancing the prosperity of drone-based coastal observations”.
Further reading: Researchers use drones to photograph seaweeds: The tidal zone from a bird’s-eye view