Seagrass enhancement via Aerial Drones (SEAD)

Description

Seagrass loss often occurs through a gradual fragmentation to a critical threshold, after which large meadows can collapse quickly, releasing trapped carbon. Waiting until this collapse occurs to intervene is often too late. Reversing the fragmentation of large intertidal meadows with traditional methods is impractical.

Scaling up of restoration requires the production, dispersal, and successful germination of seagrass seeds. Seagrass seed dispersal in intertidal areas remains the final challenge. Covering large areas by foot during a low tide on soft mud is impractical and damages the meadows. Dispersal by boat can result in seagrass seeds being moved by currents. In Tropical Australia, dangerous marine fauna (sharks and crocodiles) impede safe access to many sites.

Impact

Smart sowing of seagrass seeds to detect gaps in the meadows where the habitat is still suitable and getting the seeds there quickly and accurately can overcome this challenge. By combining UAV, LiDAR, and multispectral analysis to map suitable bare patches over large meadows, this project aims to research targeted seed dispersal to reverse the fragmentation of seagrass.

Partners

• Oztech drones