Three-dimensional digital mapping of ecosystems: a new era in spatial ecology.

Andrew J Davies,Tim D'Urban Jackson,Gareth J Williams,Guy Walker-Springett

doi:10.1098/rspb.2019.2383

Andrew J Davies, Tim D'Urban Jackson + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.2383

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Abstract

Ecological processes occur over multiple spatial, temporal and thematic scales in three-dimensional (3D) ecosystems. Characterizing and monitoring change in 3D structure at multiple scales is challenging within the practical constraints of conventional ecological tools. Remote sensing from satellites and crewed aircraft has revolutionized broad-scale spatial ecology, but fine-scale patterns and processes operating at sub-metre resolution have remained understudied over continuous extents. We introduce two high-resolution remote sensing tools for rapid and accurate 3D mapping in ecology—terrestrial laser scanning and structure-from-motion photogrammetry. These technologies are likely to become standard sampling tools for mapping and monitoring 3D ecosystem structure across currently under-sampled scales. We present practical guidance in the use of the tools and address barriers to widespread adoption, including testing the accuracy of structure-from-motion models for ecologists. We aim to highlight a new era in spatial ecology that uses high-resolution remote sensing to interrogate 3D digital ecosystems.

Highlights

Understanding how ecosystems vary in space and time underpins land- and seascape management, but to be effective, accurate and comprehensive information must be captured across multiple scales
Disruptive remote sensing technologies to rapidly record detailed, spatially referenced biological and physical information are accessible to the field ecologist
We found that terrestrial laser scanning took 15–20 min between stations for a typical medium resolution (10 cm point spacing at 100 m range) survey

Summary

Introduction

Understanding how ecosystems vary in space and time underpins land- and seascape management, but to be effective, accurate and comprehensive information must be captured across multiple scales. Disruptive remote sensing technologies to rapidly record detailed, spatially referenced biological and physical information are accessible to the field ecologist These techniques overcome some of the logistical challenges and trade-offs of direct observation field sampling and extend the scales of remote sensing capability. R. Soc. B 287: 20192383 mapping techniques, which hold enormous potential for the rapid collection of ecologically relevant, spatially continuous data at multiple scales: terrestrial laser scanning and structure-from-motion photogrammetry (figure 1). B 287: 20192383 mapping techniques, which hold enormous potential for the rapid collection of ecologically relevant, spatially continuous data at multiple scales: terrestrial laser scanning and structure-from-motion photogrammetry (figure 1) Uptake of these new technologies varies widely across disciplines and user groups, and there is a strong case for their increased adoption in ecology. Our aim is to shed light on powerful and increasingly userfriendly tools, encourage innovative and novel analytical approaches, and highlight the new era of 3D digital spatial ecology

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