DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise with RTK unit in use. Fast and efficient. Photo: Eveliina Lampinen Economic Development Centre of Northern Finland.
The Interreg Aurora funded project HIDDEN has launched its fieldwork season in estuarine areas around the Gulf of Bothnia. Over the summer months, project partners will collect data on underwater habitats and natural values using a range of modern survey technologies. New tools complement traditional field survey methods, helping gather more detailed and spatially accurate information across extensive and often difficult-to-access areas.
Drone surveys are already underway, providing high-resolution aerial imagery to support habitat mapping and field planning.
Survey teams are also using high-precision GPS equipment to accurately locate sampling points and ensure the quality and repeatability of the collected data.
Handheld RTK-GPS device is a handy and precise tool for collecting accurate data points. The device shown here is a Trimble TDC650, currently used by the project partners in Oulu. Photo: Anton Pajukoski Economic Development Centre of Northern Finland.
Also, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) will be tested for habitat mapping in coastal estuaries. The underwater robot allows to document seafloor habitats and underwater vegetation in areas that are difficult to access through traditional methods.
BlueROV2 by BlueRobotics is navigated by Xbox controller. The ROV is equipped with RTK module for positioning on the water and DVL-device (doppel velocity logger) for underwater positioning. Photo: Eveliina Lampinen Economic Development Centre of Northern Finland.
Combined with conventional ecological survey techniques, these technologies help build a comprehensive picture of estuarine habitats and their condition. The fieldwork and data collected will generate valuable new information on estuarine environments and support the development of habitat maps, biodiversity assessments, and conservation planning tools throughout the project.
Learn more about the Interreg Aurora funded project HIDDEN – Habitat Investigation in Diverse and Dynamic Estuarine Networks.
