DRONES4BLUECARBONSEAGRASS: A Capacity-Building Program for Mapping Seagrasses using Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Technology in the Philippines

Coastal blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangrove forests and seagrass meadows, are important for various environmental functions, serving as habitats, food sources, and carbon sinks. Despite their importance, seagrass ecosystems are experiencing global decline due to numerous stressors, including an...

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Main Authors: C. Candido, A. Blanco, A. Tamondong, K. Martinez, K. Nadaoka
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2024-11-01
Series:ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
Online Access:https://isprs-annals.copernicus.org/articles/X-5-2024/9/2024/isprs-annals-X-5-2024-9-2024.pdf
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author C. Candido
A. Blanco
A. Blanco
A. Tamondong
K. Martinez
K. Nadaoka
author_facet C. Candido
A. Blanco
A. Blanco
A. Tamondong
K. Martinez
K. Nadaoka
author_sort C. Candido
collection DOAJ
description Coastal blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangrove forests and seagrass meadows, are important for various environmental functions, serving as habitats, food sources, and carbon sinks. Despite their importance, seagrass ecosystems are experiencing global decline due to numerous stressors, including anthropogenic activities. To address this, effective monitoring and management strategies are crucial. Traditional in situ surveys for seagrass monitoring are labor-intensive and time-consuming. Alternatively, remote sensing technologies, particularly satellite imagery, offer a more efficient means of mapping seagrass distribution over large areas. However, accurately assessing seagrass cover at a local scale remains challenging with satellite data alone. Recently, unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology has emerged as a promising approach for seagrass mapping. With its fine resolution and flexibility for image acquisition, UAS can provide more precise estimates of seagrass cover, complementing satellite data. This integration enhances accuracy assessments and expands data availability for training and validation purposes. Under the BlueCARES Project, a drone training program was developed to equip stakeholders with the skills needed for cost-effective UAS-based seagrass mapping. The drone training program encompasses lectures on UAS basics, flight planning, and image processing. Beyond training, collected data are used to create seagrass maps and assess seagrass density. This initiative not only advances seagrass conservation but also fosters collaboration between government agencies, academia, and local communities to achieve sustainable management of blue carbon ecosystems.
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spelling doaj-art-d6bd97c17cde42f49152a422c29d68022024-11-11T23:05:14ZengCopernicus PublicationsISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences2194-90422194-90502024-11-01X-5-202491510.5194/isprs-annals-X-5-2024-9-2024DRONES4BLUECARBONSEAGRASS: A Capacity-Building Program for Mapping Seagrasses using Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Technology in the PhilippinesC. Candido0A. Blanco1A. Blanco2A. Tamondong3K. Martinez4K. Nadaoka5Space Information Infrastructure Bureau, Philippine Space Agency, Quezon City 1109, PhilippinesSpace Information Infrastructure Bureau, Philippine Space Agency, Quezon City 1109, PhilippinesDepartment of Geodetic Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, PhilippinesDepartment of Geodetic Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, PhilippinesDepartment of Geodetic Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, PhilippinesSchool of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, JapanCoastal blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangrove forests and seagrass meadows, are important for various environmental functions, serving as habitats, food sources, and carbon sinks. Despite their importance, seagrass ecosystems are experiencing global decline due to numerous stressors, including anthropogenic activities. To address this, effective monitoring and management strategies are crucial. Traditional in situ surveys for seagrass monitoring are labor-intensive and time-consuming. Alternatively, remote sensing technologies, particularly satellite imagery, offer a more efficient means of mapping seagrass distribution over large areas. However, accurately assessing seagrass cover at a local scale remains challenging with satellite data alone. Recently, unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology has emerged as a promising approach for seagrass mapping. With its fine resolution and flexibility for image acquisition, UAS can provide more precise estimates of seagrass cover, complementing satellite data. This integration enhances accuracy assessments and expands data availability for training and validation purposes. Under the BlueCARES Project, a drone training program was developed to equip stakeholders with the skills needed for cost-effective UAS-based seagrass mapping. The drone training program encompasses lectures on UAS basics, flight planning, and image processing. Beyond training, collected data are used to create seagrass maps and assess seagrass density. This initiative not only advances seagrass conservation but also fosters collaboration between government agencies, academia, and local communities to achieve sustainable management of blue carbon ecosystems.https://isprs-annals.copernicus.org/articles/X-5-2024/9/2024/isprs-annals-X-5-2024-9-2024.pdf
spellingShingle C. Candido
A. Blanco
A. Blanco
A. Tamondong
K. Martinez
K. Nadaoka
DRONES4BLUECARBONSEAGRASS: A Capacity-Building Program for Mapping Seagrasses using Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Technology in the Philippines
ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
title DRONES4BLUECARBONSEAGRASS: A Capacity-Building Program for Mapping Seagrasses using Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Technology in the Philippines
title_full DRONES4BLUECARBONSEAGRASS: A Capacity-Building Program for Mapping Seagrasses using Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Technology in the Philippines
title_fullStr DRONES4BLUECARBONSEAGRASS: A Capacity-Building Program for Mapping Seagrasses using Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Technology in the Philippines
title_full_unstemmed DRONES4BLUECARBONSEAGRASS: A Capacity-Building Program for Mapping Seagrasses using Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Technology in the Philippines
title_short DRONES4BLUECARBONSEAGRASS: A Capacity-Building Program for Mapping Seagrasses using Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Technology in the Philippines
title_sort drones4bluecarbonseagrass a capacity building program for mapping seagrasses using unmanned aerial system uas technology in the philippines
url https://isprs-annals.copernicus.org/articles/X-5-2024/9/2024/isprs-annals-X-5-2024-9-2024.pdf
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