Operational research of airborne topo-bathymetric lidar

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Bathymetric surveys in coastal zones are often missing data in shallow water areas due to the danger to navigation for marine survey vessels and the inability of traditional topographic lidar surveys to penetrate the water column. The lack of elevation information on coastal maps is often referred to as the "white ribbon gap" and poses unique challenges to researchers and commercial groups operating within the coastal zone. The Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG) within the Nova Scotia Community College has recently acquired an AHAB Chiroptera 2 topographic-bathymetric (topo-bathy) lidar system capable of seamlessly measuring the land topography and shallow water bathymetry to eliminate this gap in freshwater and coastal environments. AGRG will partner with Leading Edge Geomatics (LEG), an established remote sensing mapping firm that specializes in digital aerial photography and topographic lidar acquisition, to research the most efficient method to use this new equipment to survey the coastal zone and produce maps that are of commercial value. The project will involve aerial surveys in the Northumberland Strait where shellfish aquaculture is prominent, the Atlantic Ocean coast and the Bay of Fundy where tanker traffic is expected to increase and the coastal area supports a variety of natural habitats for the commercial fishery (sea urchins, kelp beds), and host environmentally sensitive coastlines such as salt marshes. This new technology will also support small craft harbours to map channels for safe navigation and identify areas that may require dredging as well as mapping the submerged seaweed and ecologically sensitive plants.