In the sun-drenched waters of Apalachicola Bay, Florida, a silent revolution is taking place, one that could reshape how we monitor and manage vital coastal ecosystems. At the heart of this innovation is Jenny Bueno, a geographer from Florida State University, who is harnessing the power of drones to protect one of the region’s most crucial inhabitants: the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica).
Oysters are more than just a delicacy; they are the unsung heroes of coastal ecosystems, providing habitat for countless marine species, filtering water, and even mitigating the impacts of storms. However, these vital creatures are under threat from human activities, making effective monitoring and management more important than ever. Traditional methods, such as manual quadrat sampling, are labor-intensive, destructive, and often limited in scope. But Bueno and her team have found a high-tech solution: unoccupied aerial systems, or drones.
In a study published in the journal Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, Bueno and her colleagues demonstrate how drones can be used to generate high-resolution geospatial data over large areas, providing a comprehensive picture of oyster reef conditions. “We’ve shown that drones can accurately detect oyster clusters and estimate live oyster abundance,” Bueno explains. “This is a game-changer for monitoring and managing these critical ecosystems.”
The team used structure-from-motion photogrammetry techniques to create three-dimensional topographic models of intertidal reefs. By analyzing these models, they could reconstruct the distribution, spatial density, and size of oyster clusters. Ground truthing revealed an impressive 97% accuracy for cluster presence detection, and the researchers found a significant relationship between cluster size and live oyster counts. This allowed them to predict live oyster abundance and spatial density across 138 reefs covering over 138,000 square meters.
So, what does this mean for the energy sector and other industries that rely on healthy coastal ecosystems? For starters, it provides a more efficient and less destructive way to monitor these environments, which is crucial for companies looking to mitigate their environmental impact. Moreover, the data gathered can inform conservation, restoration, and management strategies, helping to protect these ecosystems and the services they provide.
But the implications go beyond just monitoring. As Bueno points out, “This technology can also be used to track the success of restoration projects, providing valuable feedback for managers and stakeholders.” This could be particularly relevant for energy companies investing in coastal restoration as part of their environmental stewardship efforts.
The study also highlights the potential for repeated monitoring, which can reveal trends over time. In Apalachicola Bay, repeated monitoring at one site in 2022 and 2023 revealed a relatively stable oyster density, suggesting that the reefs are resilient, at least in the short term. However, long-term monitoring will be crucial to understand how these ecosystems respond to changing environmental conditions.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that drones and other remote sensing technologies will play an increasingly important role in environmental monitoring and management. Bueno’s work is a testament to this, providing a repeatable method for mapping and monitoring intertidal oyster populations. And as the technology continues to evolve, so too will our ability to protect and preserve these vital ecosystems. The energy sector, and other industries, would do well to take note, as the health of our coasts depends on it.