Poole Harbour algal mat aerial surveys​

​

Client: Natural England

​

BUG was commissioned by Natural England to conduct monthly aerial surveys at four intertidal locations within Poole Harbour to assess the coverage, growth and die-back of algal mats.

Surveys were conducted using a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS), or drone, to collect high resolution imagery from an altitude of 50 m, providing a ground resolution of 2.1 cm/pixel. Four bays around Poole Harbour were surveyed; Brand’s Bay, Newton Bay, Arne Bay and Holes Bay during 2017 and 2018.

For each survey, the collected images were stitched together into a high resolution geo-referenced orthomosaic, which can then be imported into GIS software for assessing the change in distribution and abundance of algal mat coverage throughout the season.

​

Using drones for rapid collection of high resolution geo-referenced imagery is proving to be a very efficient and cost-effective way of assessing and managing natural habitats.