Map the Environment
Why We Map
Mapping the environment will help our team understand the locations that are suitable habitats to support kelp growth and help us pinpoint optimal sites for restoration.
Seafloor Mapping
Giant Kelp can grow to depths of 100 feet and requires a rocky substrate to take hold of. To pinpoint the most suitable locations to start our kelp restoration efforts, we need to identify areas with the optimal substrate and depths for kelp growth. That’s where seafloor mapping comes in!
Underwater it’s important to note that visibility is dependent on the clarity of the water and often limits our ability to see very far, plus GPS does not work. That’s why we rely on sound — or “acoustic surveys” — to gauge distance and direction for seafloor mapping. But how does this work? This process is very similar to how some animals — like dolphins — use echolocation to find food.
Underwater acoustic survey equipment sends out sound waves that travel through water. When these waves hit objects, they bounce back to a nearby receiver. The time taken for the sound to travel back indicates distance or depth, while its intensity reveals the object's characteristics. For instance, a rock would produce a stronger intensity compared to sand.
To help map the seafloor at each restoration site, we rented an “EchoBoat” from Seafloor Systems. The EchoBoat is an autonomous boat equipped with precision navigation and multibeam sonar.
Mapping from above is also key in our restoration efforts. With drones, we can comprehensively map both the shoreline and the shallow subtidal habitat, as well as accurately document the extent of kelp canopies.
To generate an aerial map at each restoration site, we flew drones equipped with cameras and GPS systems.
Drone Mapping
Managing Our Maps
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a system used to create, manage, analyze, and map all types of data. GIS enables us to overlay and analyze different layers of data on a map, helping us understand how these pieces relate to each other and contribute to the bigger picture of our kelp restoration efforts! Soon, our team will share various maps of our restoration sites via ArcGIS Online. Stay Tuned!
