Mapping submerged aquatic vegetation

MAPPING SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION FROM SPACE:

18 DECEMBER 2019

Satellite based solutions to map and monitor the distribution of underwater vegetation dynamics in shallow water areas provides a cost-effective and efficient tool for consistent synoptic monitoring of large areas.

Delivering key insight on vegetation status and trends, satellite data provides a critical tool, enabling management authorities and decision-makers in making more effective decisions towards protecting and managing marine environments and resources.

Using high-resolution satellite data, novel machine learning techniques and advanced data processing, we have created the first-ever national overview of the spatial distribution of shallow-water submerged aquatic vegetation in Denmark.

The national map of submerged aquatic vegetation provides an important baseline on the current status of vegetation density in Danish territorial waters. Future efforts will aim to advance the baseline by making continuous assessments on year to year and intra annual variations in vegetation cover at national level.

With an established methodology and a scalable approach in place, satellite data can now be turned in to actionable data and information about the condition and status of submerged aquatic vegetation in shallow water areas, in any part of the world.

Thanks to the VELUX FOUNDATION for their generous grant, which has allowed us to reach this significant milestone.

Visit http://satlas.dk/marine-vegetation/ or click the button below to see the vegetation density map and learn more about satellite-derived aquatic vegetation mapping.

More information about coastal monitoring at DHI GRAS

EOatDHI part of the DHI GROUP

gras@dhigroup.com
+45 4516 9100

Agern Alle 5,
2970 Hørsholm,
Denmark

CVR: 36466871

Mapping submerged coastal vegetation

submerged coastal vegetation

Why is it important?

Marine habitats are important regions for life in the coastal zone. It is one of the key indicators of ecological status and environmental state of water bodies and therefore widely used in reporting related to e.g. the EU Water Framework Directive and the Birds Directive and as input in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA’s).

With this project a first-ever complete baseline of the spatial distribution will be created which will allow for a future assessment of any changes in submerged coastal vegetation.

Project highlights:

Using satellite data, machine learning and radiative transfer modelling to accurately extract detailed information about marine habitats

Integration of various data sources (in-situ, satellite and models) to provide a more complete and holistic description of the coastal zone

Project outputs will be made openly and freely available providing a baseline for future assessments of changes in the ecological status on national to local scale

In more detail..

DHI GRAS has been awarded a grant from the VELUX FOUNDATION to conduct a first-ever nationwide mapping of the submerged coastal vegetation (eelgrass and macroalgae) in Denmark. Based on advanced radiative transfer modelling and machine learning techniques, optical satellite data is used to create a 10 m national map of these important coastal habitats. The project runs from 2018 to 2019.

The results will be made publicly available to stakeholders active in the coastal zone, including authorities, coastal planners, engineering companies and environmental consultants.

The free and open access approach is part of an active wish from the VELUX FOUNDATION and "DHI GRAS to expand our knowledge of the coastal zone processes and environmental state.

These are the core elements of the project:

In 2018, VELUX FONDEN granted approx. EUR 35 million. ​VELUX FONDEN (a part of THE VELUX FOUNDATIONS) is a philanthropic foundation that supports scientific, cultural, social and environmental purposes.

Furthermore, the foundation supports projects relating to active senior citizens and research in gerontology and ophthalmology. All grant areas share the purpose of promoting the democratic society of Denmark on an informed, inclusive and sustainable basis.

EOatDHI part of the DHI GROUP

gras@dhigroup.com
+45 4516 9100

Agern Alle 5,
2970 Hørsholm,
Denmark

CVR: 36466871