Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-116-2021 (submitted: 08/04/2021, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
Ecosystem Mapping
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | Brian Hopkinson | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Georgia | ||
| Award Information: | NSF IIBR Ecosystem Mapping project, NSF, $617K | ||
| Mailing Address: | 102B Marine Sciences Building | Phone Number: | |
| Athens, GA 30602 | E-mail Address: | bmhopkin@uga.edu | |
| Co-investigators: | Steven C. Pennings (University of Houston) | ||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
This project aims to develop methods to map ecosystems including salt marshes from image data using computer vision and artificial intelligence approaches. In salt marshes we are focused on developing methods to align images in visually repetitive environments and using artificial intelligence to classify plants and animals. We will image several (~10) patches (~10 m square) and several transects (25-50 meters long) of marsh using a handheld camera rig. Imaging targets (laminated QR codes) will the places at several location in each patch during imaging and then marked with a PVC stake for later RTK GPS measurements to provide ground control points.
Where will the project be located?
We will work in Dean's Creek marshes (approximately:31.39358, -81.27283 and 31.39337, -81.27145) and in the marsh around Shell Hammock (31.40051, -81.28870)
How will you provide GPS coordinates for study sites?
GPS coordinates are listed in the project location field
What are the expected start and end dates of the project?
Start Date: 09/09/2021 End Date: 09/08/2022
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
3 people will come on each trip, visiting each site once per trip, with a repeat frequency of approximately every 3 months.
Keywords that describe your project
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
we will temporarily (~1 hour) deploy laminated QR codes for ground control points (~8 per patch). At several sites the locations of these ground control points will then be marked with PVC pipe for later RTK GPS measurements (~40 total locations). The RTK GPS measurements should be make within a week at which point the PVC marker poles will be removed.
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
none
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
We will walk once over each patch to do the imaging, traversing the patch in a "lawn-mower pattern" with a spacing between lines of ~1 m. This will result in some trampling of the vegetation, but we will not return to the exact same patches on repeat visits so the vegetation will not be repeatedly trampled.
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
No because it would interfere with our imaging and would be time consuming to install for each patch.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
We anticipate that the impacts of trampling will be relatively modest and the plants will recover within a week or two.
