Good News from Mon, 21 June, 2010:

New laser sensing technique optimizes Baltic Sea research

Metsähallitus The Light Detection and Ranging, or LiDAR technique is based on the ways laser rays are reflected from the seabed.
New, fast and effective imaging technique that may revolutionise for instance research of the Baltic Sea has been developed. The method, which was developed as part of the ULTRA project led by by Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services, is based on LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) laser sensing technique utilised in aerial surveying. In addition to being well suited for sea depth surveys, it helps to provide important information on submarine plant species and habitat.

The greatest advantage of LiDAR technique is its speed. Using conventional survey methods a team of marine scientists is able to survey about 10 square kilometres of submarine areas each summer surveying season. The new aerial laser surveying methods can now be used to survey about 30 square kilometres every day.

If the technique can be applied more widely, it could greatly facilitate decision-making on issues including marine planning, dredging, projected bridges and wind power facilities, sand and gravel extraction, and marine protected areas.

LiDAR sensing technique has already been used in other parts of the world to measure sea depths, and in Finland mainly for terrestrial topography surveys. Aircraft surveys for the project were conducted in September 2009 in both, Finnish and Swedish marine waters.

The reliability of the survey results surprised the marine scientists. Accuracy rates of around 80-90 percent were revealed after conventional surveys were conducted to confirm data. The maps produced during the reliability trials themselves have proven to be accurate enough to use as such in future marine planning work.

– The results we have obtained so far have been extremely significant. There is a great need for a wider application of this technique, to ensure that marine areas and resources are utilised without any further damage to the sensitive natural environment of the Baltic Sea, says Leader of the ULTRA project, Michael Haldin from Metsähallitus (the Finnish Forest and Park Service).

www.metsa.fi

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