‘Star Trek’ technology for coastal surveys
MarineArmed with a sophisticated hand-held Global Positioning System (dGPS) enabled data logger on board a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) in Cork Harbour, researchers in CMRC (the Coastal and Marine Resources Centre, UCC), have demonstrated that conducting detailed coastline surveys from the water is a cost effective alternative to traditional terrestrial surveys, reports Vicki O’Donnell, CMRC
Working with scientists from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), with whom UCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2003, the Geographical Information System (GIS) Group has developed tools to create a comprehensive database of shoreline features.
Need for national coastal management strategy
MarineOver 90% of the population of the island of Ireland resides within 15kms of the coastline. This coastline, depending on the measuring technique employed, is between 1,500km and 9,750km in length.
The landscape of this land/sea interface is rich in diversity − from rugged cliff lines and limestone rock plateaus − to isolated pebble or sandy beaches and rolling pastureland.
Around the coast, unbroken visibility that can stretch for miles without interruption from industrial development and ‘relatively’ little urbanisation provides an experience that is almost unique throughout Europe.