TY - JOUR

T1 - Three-dimensional digital mapping of ecosystems: a new era in spatial ecology

AU - D'Urban Jackson, Tim

AU - Williams, Gareth J.

AU - Walker-Springett, Guy

AU - Davies, Andrew

PY - 2020/2/12

Y1 - 2020/2/12

N2 - Ecological processes occur over multiple spatial, temporal and thematic scales in three-dimensional (3D) ecosystems. Characterizing and monitoring change in 3D structure at multiple scales is challenging within the practical constraints of conventional ecological tools. Remote sensing from satellites and crewed aircraft has revolutionized broad-scale spatial ecology, but fine-scale patterns and processes operating at sub-metre resolution have remained understudied over continuous extents. We introduce two high-resolution remote sensing tools for rapid and accurate 3D mapping in ecology-terrestrial laser scanning and structure-from-motion photogrammetry. These technologies are likely to become standard sampling tools for mapping and monitoring 3D ecosystem structure across currently under-sampled scales. We present practical guidance in the use of the tools and address barriers to widespread adoption, including testing the accuracy of structure-from-motion models for ecologists. We aim to highlight a new era in spatial ecology that uses high-resolution remote sensing to interrogate 3D digital ecosystems.

AB - Ecological processes occur over multiple spatial, temporal and thematic scales in three-dimensional (3D) ecosystems. Characterizing and monitoring change in 3D structure at multiple scales is challenging within the practical constraints of conventional ecological tools. Remote sensing from satellites and crewed aircraft has revolutionized broad-scale spatial ecology, but fine-scale patterns and processes operating at sub-metre resolution have remained understudied over continuous extents. We introduce two high-resolution remote sensing tools for rapid and accurate 3D mapping in ecology-terrestrial laser scanning and structure-from-motion photogrammetry. These technologies are likely to become standard sampling tools for mapping and monitoring 3D ecosystem structure across currently under-sampled scales. We present practical guidance in the use of the tools and address barriers to widespread adoption, including testing the accuracy of structure-from-motion models for ecologists. We aim to highlight a new era in spatial ecology that uses high-resolution remote sensing to interrogate 3D digital ecosystems.

KW - digital ecology

KW - ecosystem science

KW - remote sensing

KW - 3D mapping

KW - terrestrial laser scanning

KW - structure-from-motion photogrammetry

U2 - 10.1098/rspb.2019.2383

DO - 10.1098/rspb.2019.2383

M3 - Article

C2 - 32075534

VL - 287

JO - Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

JF - Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

SN - 0962-8452

IS - 1920

M1 - 20192383

ER -