The Use of Motor-Powered Paraglider as a Useful Monitoring Tool for Coastal Environment on the Macro Level

监测沿海环境，特别是沿海和海滩的景观和植被，被认为是重要的，因为它们由于自然循环和人为压力而迅速和剧烈地变化。迄今为止，已开发了若干沿海区环境监测工具。然而，它们中的大多数需要重型仪器，并且往往缺乏成本效益。为了实现更便宜和方便的空间监测，我们开发了视频和摄像机记录设备连接到一个电机驱动的滑翔伞。它可以提供从很低到相对较高高度的清晰和锐利的摄影数据。根据其高度和记录设备的不同，数据的分辨率可降至5厘米。在1999年和2000年进行了监测设备的试验和开发，以测试其效率和有效性。结果表明，摄影数据可用于图像分析，例如测量沿海植被的变化，监测前滨的人工改变和计算海滩上的凋落物。它还证明了成本效益，因为与直升机和飞机的普通航空摄影相比，电动滑翔伞飞行的成本并不高。该监测方法可用于NPO和NGO定期跟踪海岸带环境变化，且成本相对较低。此外，通过使用Arc view GIS软件，根据从配备DGPS（差分全球定位系统）的摄像机或VTR获得的定位数据，可以将该设备拍摄的照片合并并附加到地图上。

Monitoring coastal environment, particularly landscape and vegetation on coasts and beaches, is considered to be important because they change rapidly and drastically due to the natural cycle and artificial pressures. Several monitoring tools for the coastal zone environment have been developed to date. However, most of them require heavy instrument and are often lacks cost effectiveness. In order to achieve cheaper and handy spatial monitoring, we developed video and camera recoding devices attached to a motor-powered paraglider. It can provide clear and sharp photographic data from very low to relatively high altitude. The resolution of the data is down to 5cm depending on its altitude and recording device. The experiment and development of monitoring equipment were carried out in 1999 and 2000 to test its efficiency and effectiveness. The results showed that the photographic data could be utilized for image analysis, for example measuring changes in coastal vegetation, monitoring artificial alternation on foreshore and counting litters on beaches. It also demonstrates cost effectiveness because motor-powered paraglider flights do not cost very much in comparison to ordinary aerial photograph by helicopters and airplanes. This monitoring method can be used for NPO and NGO to track changes in coastal environment regularly with relatively lower cost. Furthermore, the photos taken by this device can be amalgamated and attached to the map by using Arc view GIS software based on the positioning data obtained from a camera or VTR that is equipped with DGPS (differential global positioning system).