Sea cucumbers might not be the most glamorous residents of the Great Barrier Reef, but they’re essential ecosystem engineers. They turn over sediment, cycle nutrients, and keep coral reef habitats healthy. They are also a valuable fishery, so their sustainable harvest is critical. Yet despite their importance, surveying them has always been slow and labour-intensive.
Satellite-derived global mapping products are the backbone of many decisions we make in environmental science and management. From tracking deforestation to identifying coral habitats, these maps give us a bird’s eye view of the planet. But just how accurate are they? And what happens when they’re wrong? We tested several widely used global land and
What doesn’t show up in my academic bio is that I’m a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Yes, the 90s show. And no, this isn’t a diversion, I recently realised that it’s actually the perfect metaphor for the Earth observation industry! If you don’t know Buffy, here’s a snapshot of how she’s introduced:
Coastal environments are in constant flux, influenced by tides, storms, and human activity. Understanding these changes is critical for managing coastal erosion, assessing storm impacts, and informing conservation efforts. Drone mapping provides a powerful way to track these changes with high spatial accuracy. In no particular order, here are ten ways you can assess beach
It’s been a massive year for GeoNadir in 2024! We’ve been hard at work rolling out powerful new features and enhancements to make drone mapping easier, faster, and more insightful than ever before. From precision tools like Magic Wand and Feature Finder to collaborative upgrades with Workspaces and Projects, we’ve listened to your needs and
Earth observation (EO) data are everywhere, just like Swifties. Datasets are growing by over 100 petabytes per year, with a steady expansion in geospatial AI technology driven by new satellites and the democratization of data capture through drones. In fact, there are more drones in circulation today than there are kilometers of coastline worldwide. Despite
The coral cays of the Great Barrier Reef are more than just picturesque, sandy islands. They are dynamic, living systems that play a crucial role in the health of the reef and support a wide range of biodiversity, from nesting seabirds to critical turtle habitats. However, their ever-changing nature, shaped by ocean currents, storms, and
The future of ecological conservation lies in innovative technologies that streamline data collection and analysis. One such revolution in conservation science is integrating drones with artificial intelligence (AI) for wildlife monitoring. This offers a non-invasive, efficient, and cost-effective way to gather information, but unfortunately it’s not always straightforward! We’ve recently been working with Olivier Decitre
Besides my robovac, I confess to knowing next to nothing about LiDAR. But don’t let that deter you from reading on! I promise I’ve brought in the big guns. While I’ve been working in the Earth observation industry for 25 years, my area of expertise is multispectral and hyperspectral data analysis. So when someone asks
Have you ever captured data that looks a little too dark or too bright? Sometimes we mess up the camera settings or the lighting conditions change considerably during capture. Or maybe the features you’re most interested in are underwater or in the shadows, so they’re naturally a little dark. What if you know there are
A standard image processing sequence has driven remote sensing and Earth observation applications for decades. This sequence is a framework of stages through which to progress and applies equally to drones as it does to more traditional satellite mapping. It takes us from defining the problem to communicating results and all the steps in between,
Following a long, hot, and relentless summer, corals in the southern hemisphere must surely be breathing a sigh of relief. Those that still can, that is. Record high sea surface temperatures for extended periods set off mass coral bleaching episodes globally, and the Great Barrier Reef was no exception. And while surveys during the height
As a remote sensing scientist, mapping is my bread and butter. I have a deep passion for Earth observation data, and I could easily spend all day studying different ecosystems and their changes over time. Integrating drone data into my work for ecosystem analysis over the past decade has been a game changer. While it
Accurate mapping is the cornerstone of numerous fields, from urban planning and environmental management to disaster response and infrastructure development. At the heart of achieving precision in mapping lies the strategic placement of ground control points (GCPs), which serve as reference markers for aligning aerial (including drone) or satellite imagery with real-world coordinates. While traditional
While multispectral imaging may have been developed as a military surveillance technique, these days its benefits are far more wide ranging. From Earth observation sensors on satellites to laboratory based systems, they can be deployed to detect, identify, and measure features invisible to the human eye at a variety of scales. Let’s look at how
Wanting to make decisions using your drone mapping data? If so, understanding your location precision and accuracy is paramount, and ground control points – GCPs – might be your answer. As aerial surveys become increasingly integral to various industries, ensuring accuracy in data processing and location information is essential. Let’s delve into the significance of
In a recent lunch and learn webinar we explored the role of drone mapping in detecting environmental change. Here I’ll revisit the highlights of the webinar, diving into the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Jasper and examine how comprehensive datasets can reshape disaster response strategies. Tropical Cyclone Jasper threatened the far north Queensland region, providing an
In the midst of preparing for an impending weather event, the urgency of readiness becomes a focal point. It’s not just about sandbagging or securing property—it’s also about data readiness. Our recent webinar on remote sensing and drone mapping in disaster management touched upon this critical aspect. Let’s delve deeper into how remote sensing, encompassing
There’s no doubt about it – drone mapping analysis and manually digitising a map can be a tedious task! But let’s not make it harder than it needs to be. At GeoNadir we are constantly looking for ways to simplify data processing and analysis workflows, so introducing keyboard shortcuts was a no-brainer for us. They
What do crocodiles and GeoNadir projects have in common? We both love snapping! But of course in vastly different ways 🙂 When we snap as part of creating insights with our drone mapping data, this is a good thing. Not something to be afraid of! So what is snapping, and how can it help us
