The Azores: a tale of whales, seaweeds and drones

It was 10:25 in the morning and my flight was leaving in 5 minutes. “What was going on in your mind?”, I wondered while running at full speed and possibly doing the best workout in my life. Arriving at the gate, I still remember the words echoing in my head: “30 seconds and you would …

Falkland Islands marine forests: discovering biodiversity in the South Atlantic

Seaweeds are a vital natural resource in the Falkland Islands, a UK Overseas Territory in the southwest Atlantic. The entire coastline of this remote archipelago, which includes nearly 800 separate islands, is fringed by ‘marine forests’ consisting of an extraordinary array of different seaweed species. These seaweed-dominated ecosystems are vital for the functioning of the …

Isle of Wight: monitoring seaweed with drones

On Monday the 23rd of April, we ventured out to the Isle of Wight. Also known as “Dinosaur Island”, it is famous for its dinosaur fossils and beautiful coasts. It is less known, however, for the rich seaweed communities which surround the island. Many people may grumble, turn around and leave once they find out …

Taking to Lulworth Cove like a duck to water

Our team, hailing from the Natural History Museum (NHM), Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and University of Bristol, recently took a trip to Lulworth Cove, Dorset on a filming and data gathering mission. The aim of the trip was two-part, to build on existing information for our on-going kelp monitoring project and …

Quantifying intertidal macroalgae abundance using aerial photography on the Isle of Wight

In 2015 Thomas Bell conducted a master's research project examining the use of remote sensing data to monitor change in seaweed habitat. Highlights Adapted pre-existing public RGB photographic record for new purpose SVM modelling able to separate different habitat classes using RGB DN values Isle of Wight intertidal macroalgae abundance has increased in the 21st century …

Developing Spatially Transferable Models of Intertidal Macroalgae Distribution…

In 2015 Rachael Holmes conducted a master's research project examining the use of remote sensing data to monitor change in seaweed habitat. Abstract Remote sensing has high potential for the provision of information about the abundance and distribution of intertidal macroalgae species. Remote sensing can inform biodiversity conservation activities such as those outlined in the European …

Developing a tool for the monitoring of seaweed habitat change: Thanet coast a case study

In 2014 Lauren Ash conducted a master's research project examining the use of remote sensing data to monitor change in seaweed habitat. Abstract Large brown seaweeds are essential components of marine ecosystems and economically important. With rising temperatures and ocean acidification, seaweed habitat communities are at risk. Seaweed habitats are greatly understudied, possibly due to …

Methods applied to UK kelp monitoring and implications for wild harvesting

The executive summary from a report for the Crown Estate reviewing methods of monitoring Kelp abundance. Executive Summary Kelp forests are an important feature of the British coastline, covering approximately 19,000 km2. Levels of biodiversity living in this habitat-forming biomass rival that of tropical rainforests. Kelp also has commercial uses in pharmaceuticals, food, and fertiliser, amongst …

Using aerial images to quantify the extent of coastal seaweed habitats

The executive summary from a report for the Crown Estate detailing the results of a project to examine the use of aerial images to assess the extent of seaweed habitats. Executive Summary Large brown habitat-forming seaweeds, including fucoids and kelps, are highly productive, essential components of marine ecosystems and create conditions for diverse understory communities of flora …