February 2, 2017
A hyperspectral camera was used in the project to collect data in 270 colour bands, which is far more than the human eye can see – Queensland University of Technology
A high-definition camera and drone have captured an aerial view of Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef in an effort to monitor the health of the pristine region. Queensland University of Technology researchers scanned 40 hectares of Ningaloo Reef, the largest existing fringing reef in the world, over 30 minutes, 100 metres above the sea surface.
Lead researcher Associate Professor Felipe Gonzalez said the data would help build a fingerprint of the reef, showing coral, sand, algae and other species.
The images will be processed to reveal their minute detail and will provide a valuable tool to assess the health of the region.
“If the coral is healthy or unhealthy it will show the difference,” he said.
A normal camera can collect data in three colour bands: red, green and blue.
This camera collects data in 270 bands which is far more than the human eye can see.
The technology, on a bigger scale, is being used by NASA in Queensland to capture the Great Barrier Reef from the sky.
In that research a bigger camera is mounted on a GulfStream IV jet.
QUT researchers launch the drone – Queensland University Technology
QUT research engineer Dr Dmitry Bratanov said their camera worked better in bad weather.
“Clouds can be a show-stopper for satellite data collection but this UAV camera can fly closer and get the job done,” he said.
Checking the health of an area so vast and isolated as the marine park was not cheap or easy but the drone technology is changing that.
“You can cover much more area in one single flight to what a manned aircraft, a satellite or underwater surveys could do,” he said.
Fringing reefs grow near the coastline and around islands, separated from the shore by narrow, shallow lagoons.
The technology used to capture Ningaloo Reef is also being used on land to help monitor issues like invasive weeds.
Source: ABC
QUT research engineer Dr Dmitry Bratanov said their camera worked better in bad weather.
“Clouds can be a show-stopper for satellite data collection but this UAV camera can fly closer and get the job done,” he said.
Checking the health of an area so vast and isolated as the marine park was not cheap or easy but the drone technology is changing that.
“You can cover much more area in one single flight to what a manned aircraft, a satellite or underwater surveys could do,” he said.
Fringing reefs grow near the coastline and around islands, separated from the shore by narrow, shallow lagoons.
The technology used to capture Ningaloo Reef is also being used on land to help monitor issues like invasive weeds.
Source: ABC
Read more:
http://www.uasvision.com/2017/02/02/hyperspectral-imaging-reveals-coral-health/
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