Evaluating Video Imagery as a Method for Monitoring Nearshore Ecosystem Change

Abstract

Documentation, communication, and explanation of the impacts of climate change on the sensitive nearshore ecosystem rely on tools that provide transparency about the technology and accessibility to the data. When used as a scientific tool, video documentation provides spatially uninterrupted documentation which can be repeated over a variety of temporal scales. From the photographic data, quantitative measure of the physical presence and structural evidence of change may be derived. In this study, we present a video acquisition approach designed specifically for nearshore coastal environments. The approach provides images from duel field of view angles and includes 360° mosaics that are obtained from easily deployed stationary and mobile platforms. The aim of this research and development project is to develop an approach for providing physical change information for use in GIS-based change models. Along with the video acquisition system, we present the protocol for its use and results from preliminary tests focused on measuring the accuracy and precision of the system. Additionally, the results of a case study of a nearshore habitat are presented. Application of a video acquisition system in nearshore research allows scientists to use video data to monitor and collect documentation of ecosystem change over temporal and spatial scales and provides a communication tool for educators and outreach professionals.