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Mapping of Biotopes and Habitats using Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS and Terrestrial Laser Scanning

Aquatonics Ltd have worked with specialist land surveyors Merrett Survey Partnership to accurately map biotope boundaries using Real Time Kinematic GPS and terrestrial laser scanning. The laser scanning method has many advantages over conventional survey methods:

High resolution mapping of complex boundaries

Ability to decide post-survey what level of accuracy is required on maps

Reproducible results for plans and heights to within 2 cm

Users can produce cross sections to measure the height of vegetation, e.g. saltmarsh plants such as Spartina and Salicornia

Accurate digital terrain models which can be used to examine changes in erosion and deposition

Data are useful for assessing changes due to nearby dredging, or changes due to sea-level rise

Terrestrial laser scan data can be used as an effective monitoring and management tool for a wide variety of ecological and hydrological surveys, e.g. flood plain mapping. The main advantages of terrestrial laser scanning over alternatives such as airborne LiDAR or photogrammetry are increased accuracy of the data and smaller costs.

If you want to view videos of outputs from the terrestrial scanning laser please have a look at this page