New Methods of Environmental Monitoring Time Lapse Video Thorne Abbott CoastalZone.com
Jan 13, 2016
New Methodsof
Environmental MonitoringTime Lapse Video
Thorne Abbott
CoastalZone.com
Great Barrier ReefAustralia
Whitsunday Islands
Hook Island
Manta Ray Bay
Protected Anchorages
Exceptional Water Clarity
High Species Diversity
Substantial Coral Coverage
Concerns & Conflicts
• Concerns over coral damage from– anchoring
– diver fins
– contact by snorkelers
• Fish feeding• Trash & refuse• Water quality
• Mooring Availability– Commercial interests
wanted more
– Residents wanted less
• Overcrowding during water activities
Challenge . . .
Design a monitoring system
to balance conflicting uses and
enhance decision-making
for sustainable use
Monitor Equipment
• Camera• wide angle lens
• polarizer
• zoom facility
• Processor• Battery Re-charger• Solar Panel• Battery's
• Monitor Housing• prospecs lens
• telescoping stand
• tripod head
• camera housing
• padlocks, security
• Laptop Computer• Software
• Battery
Objectives
Determine appropriate sampling strategies for video monitoring
Analyze the resolution or clarity of the imagery produced
Calibrate the validity of the data generated
Determine if the results obtained can enhance decision making
Vessel Samples
Number of Visitors"expected"
Size Time
Type Day
Mooring Date
Vessels172 samples 20 seconds each
Visitor Samples
Low Resolution VHS std FormatVisitor Counts by 3 Observers
High Resolution S-VHS FormatVisitor Counts by 4 Observers
19 @ 20 seconds19 @ 10 seconds19 @ 5 seconds19 @ 1 second
19 original samples4 sub-samples per original
14 @ 20 seconds14 @ 10 seconds14 @ 5 seconds14 @ 1 second
30 original samples1, 2, or 3 sub-samples per original
Randomness
Visitors52 samples originally 20 seconds each
Accuracy of Observers Estimatesof Visitor Activity
0
20
40
60
80
100
1 5 10 20Length of Recorded Sample
(seconds)
Per
cen
tag
e A
ccu
racy
VHS standard resolution S-VHS high resolution
Effect of Resolution& Sample Length
P e r c e n t a g e O b s e r v e d t o E x p e c te d
L e n g t h o f S a m p le ( T IM E )
2 0 se conds1 0 se conds5 se conds1 se cond
Pe
rce
nta
ge
Ob
se
rve
d
T a p e F o rm a t
V HS std.
S -V HS
1.0.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1.
Comparison o f Visitor Counts
VHS std. to S-VHS Tape Formats
Methodology
The Method of Monitoring can be» consistent (Chi^2 : p>.05)» accurate (>70%)» HIGH resolution tape format» samples 10 seconds or longer
SCUBA DivingNum be r o f S c uba D ive rs
by Time of Day
TIME
5:003:30
3:002:45
1:551:45
1:201:00
12:4012:20
12:0011:40
11:0510:40
10:20
Num
ber o
f Dive
rs
8
6
4
2
0
Snorkeling
by Time of Day
TIME of Day
5:003:30
3:203:00
2:301:55
1:401:00
12:4012:20
11:4011:05
10:20
Num
ber o
f SNO
RKEL
LER'
s
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
N u m b e r o f S n o r k e l l e r s
Visitor Patterns
Most activity takes place between 10 AM and 4 PMScuba divers visit morning to mid-daySnorkelers visit in the afternoonSubstantially more snorkelers than divers
Vessel Sizes at Moorings10 meter maximum by regulation
187710N =
Ve s se l S ize s a t M oo rings
all Vessels
MOORING
QueuingNot MooredCBA
SIZ
E in
met
ers
1614121086420
Mooring Times through the Day
187710N =
M oo ring Ince ptio n T im e o f D a y
all Vessels
6 = 6:00 AM18 = 6:00 PM
MOORING
QueuingNot MooredCBA
TIM
E o
f Day
18
12
6
.
Comparative Length of Stay120 minutes maximum by regulation
5544 13236N =
C om pa ris o n o f A nc ho rage D ura tio n
by Mooring and Owner Type
MOORING
QueuingNot MooredCBA
DU
RA
TIO
N in
min
utes
300
200
100
0
TYPE
Commercial
Private
Mooring Patterns Vessels ranged from 3 m to 15 m long Private vessel visit as often as commercial vessels,
but commercial vessels stayed for twice as long Vessels moored between 10 AM and 4 PM Vessels arriving from 2–3 PM queued and didn’t
moor Vessels that moored, did so within 20 minutes One mooring was used last, least, and for less than
one hour
Recent Successful Applications
• Time-lapse video monitoring of boat traffic in Missionary Bay
• Establish Dugong movement patterns in the Hinchinbrook Channel, World Heritage Area and interactions with boat traffic.
• 2500 samples collected to date
New Initiatives…The Managaha Marine Conservation Area
Monitoring Vessel Traffic
in the MPA and its Transportation
Corridor
Adaptive Management in ActionWhat is being done…
• Boundaries established, but waiting on regulations
• Education and Outreach efforts using brochures, posted signs, newspapers, and school programs
• Stakeholder helping in the development of rules, regulations, and management plans
• Active - Passive Use areas, “use” permits
• No anchoring and No Take Zones
• Commercially dedicated moorings
Questions to be addressed by video monitoring
• Are the MPA boundaries being ignored?
• Are vessels using the transportation corridor?
• What type of activities most often violate restrictions?
• How should we change outreach, education, and enforcement activities?
Conclusion
Time lapse video monitoring provides valuable real time data
on patterns of use
Managers can better judge if education, outreach, and
enforcement activities are having their desired effect
These activities can then be adapted to ensure the
sustainability of marine resources
Acknowledgements Commonwealth of the
Northern Marianas
DLNR, Division of Fish & Wildlife
Joe Ruak,
DFW Aquatic Education Specialist
CRC Reef Research Centre Queensland Dept. of Environment & Heritage James Cook University
Dept. of Tropical Environmental Studies & Geography
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Ray Berkelmans Graeme Inglis