Our Data Science team undertook a literature review focused on Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 and Landsat based applications, along with a review of current field practices. The investigation then worked out two step-by-step processes leveraging a 3 year rolling baseline of satellite imagery processed with Jupyter Notebooks and Google Earth Engine. A final report details these elements and how DEWLP could implement an operational toolset to process new imagery and compare changes in NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index) above or below the baseline thresholds.

Considered by the client to be a ‘roaring’ success, the report has triggered productive conversations about a statewide monitoring approach, and our team is looking forward to a second stage of implementation work for the Department’s operational use.

The post Forest Canopy Change Detection appeared first on Gaia Resources.

Imagery capture is achieved through an innovative pod design that can be mobilised independently of the aircraft and crew, meaning that Outline Global is able to deploy its ground-breaking technology by using local pilots and contractors. Indeed this is one of the reasons why the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics were confident in selecting Outline and Gaia Resources to deliver against their program for the next three years. Click here for more information on Outline Global’s solutions.

The post Northern Territory aerial imagery capture program appeared first on Gaia Resources.

Read more about our work in this space from our ground disturbance and environmental compliance blogs (here, here and here).

The post IGO Disturbance and Rehabilitation Tracking appeared first on Gaia Resources.

GIS Analysts at Gaia Resources sourced and analysed a set of mapping layers – including known sightings of Malleefowl habitat, Beard’s Vegetation Complexes, Fire Scars, Landsat Satellite imagery, roads and tracks. Probability (likelihood) of Malleefowl habitat was a key spatial output of the project, developed through stakeholder discussions, a workshop and GIS analysis.  Mapping layers were processed as site selection inputs, and combined to result in a suitability map book containing areas of High, Moderate and Low probability.

Our identified sites includes 100 randomly selected and stratified locations with representation of known Malleefowl mounds, high, moderate and low (inferred) suitability. To choose the sites we facilitated two workshops with stakeholders – the first focused on the technical methodology for site selection, and the second was a review of the selected sites.

Although the results are positive and a great start for focused field surveys, they are primarily an input into the next phase of on-ground survey work, which will test the hypotheses made in the site suitability survey.

You can read more about this on our blog:

• https://archive.gaiaresources.com.au/fantastic-malleefowl-find/

The post Malleefowl Site Selection appeared first on Gaia Resources.

Several UAV flights were completed over three days of field work to cover 143 ha of land – this successfully demonstrated that UAVs can assist with the mapping, monitoring, and management of mangroves (both extent and condition), seagrass (mapping the seagrass extent to a high resolution), rehabilitation sites (mapping and monitoring rehabilitation sites_ and even pond inspection (where we inspected and surveyed the bank condition and heights of the salt ponds).

The purpose of this survey was to illustrate the use of these technologies and provide example outputs so that the client could assess the viability of using UAV’s periodically for their environmental monitoring requirements, and this was achieved as a result of the project.

You can read more about this project in our blog, either including the ‘dry run‘ project we ran prior to heading to site, or the trip itself.

The post Shark Bay Drone Survey appeared first on Gaia Resources.

In this project Gaia Resources identified training areas, sourced imagery, developed spectral signatures (from the imagery) for the crops, and undertook a range of evaluation and classification methods.  We then provided an evaluation of the training areas, highlighting the issues that were found with the development of spectral signatures.  As part of the deliverables we provided details of the spectral signatures that were successfully captured and the classification results themselves.

We then covered off on discussion and recommendations for the future of using these techniques, including directions for future similar projects.

The post Remote Sensing for Crop Assessment appeared first on Gaia Resources.

This involved being provided with a set of over 85 raw aerial photographs, and then working through them to identify features and georectify the imagery to the most accurate position possible.  This was especially difficult given that many of these images were historical and required considerable investigations to ensure the highest degree of accuracy possible for the image rectification.  The final product saw the images provided back to the client in the format requested.

The post Coastal Georectification appeared first on Gaia Resources.

A literature review was undertaken, followed by a series of evaluations of different data sources.  This was then overlaid with field observation data, analysed, and a series of recommendations as to how to proceed were included.  This included recommendations around the conditions under which the future sourcing of imagery should be made, the type of imagery to be sourced, and the other programs that needed to align with the acquisition to have the greatest value to the delineation of BPPH.

The post Marine Remote Sensing appeared first on Gaia Resources.

• Custom map production,
• Analysis of various datasets for project-based evaluations,
• Assistance in annual reporting preparation,
• Delivering training to the staff within the organisation, as well as their Landcare groups,
• Remote sensing support (including drones), and
• Roadmap and technology support.

We continue to support the SWCC, and others in the NRM community, through our various support approaches which include time and materials, pre-purchased block support and comprehensive service level agreements.

The post Spatial support for SWCC appeared first on Gaia Resources.

An approach was developed that looked at both manual detection and automated classification using a Digital Elevation model, derived from remote sensing data.  After an initial trial on a smaller test area, the automated classification was then run across the entire area.

This resulted in the detection of the topographical features around the mine site, and the end result of both a report detailing the process and limitations, and the spatial data, was provided.

The post Telfer Mesa Detection appeared first on Gaia Resources.

For the waste dump calculations, the Digital Elevation Model was used to calculate the volumes of the waste dumps through a process to pull out the base level of the surrounding topography, and then to calculate the volume of the dumps based on their shape and height.

This resulted in the creation of a range of products including map books, imagery, datasets and statistical spreadsheets.

The post Volumetric Calculations from Remote Sensing appeared first on Gaia Resources.

Gaia Resources sourced the range of imagery and from these images captured the extents of broad, readily recognizable vegetation categories across the images. This work involved manual digitizing of vegetation types, which was then reviewed to produce broad vegetation maps for the study area.

The analysis undertaken then took into account variations in the different imagery sources, the occurrence of fire, changes in the study area caused by topographical changes (e.g. earthworks), and variability in the rainfall in the area, to determine if the mining activities were a significant impact to the changes in distribution of the various vegetation associations.

The post Historical Imagery Assessment appeared first on Gaia Resources.