PhD defence on drone-based tools for the monitoring of eelgrass

Eelgrass and other types of submerged aquatic vegetation play an important role in the marine environment by providing a wide range of ecosystem services such as serving as breeding and nursery ground for fish and benthic organisms, stabilizing sediments, improving water quality and storing carbon.

As a result of their ecological value and their simultaneous vulnerability caused by increasing anthropogenic stresses on coastal environments, there has been a major increase in the implementation of protective measures which require regularly conducted monitoring campaigns. 

Traditionally, monitoring of eelgrass and other types of submerged aquatic vegetation involves diver observations or video recordings. These techniques provide very useful data, but are time-consuming, labour-intensive, and limited in their spatial coverage.

The advancements in drone technology present new possibilities within monitoring. In his PhD project, Aris Thomasberger from DTU Aqua has investigated whether aerial drones can be employed in the surveillance of underwater vegetation. The aim is to be able to monitor larger areas without compromising the level of detail in the data. 

Aris Thomasberger has explored various types of drone technology, including different sensors, and various methods for image analysis. His field studies have examined waters with different characteristics, such as depth and clarity.

The results indicate that aerial drones can provide better data accuracy as well as more efficient data collection in shallow waters compared to traditional monitoring methods. Aris Thomasberger therefore recommends to incorporate the developed methods into future monitoring programmes of submerged aquatic vegetation and points to potential applications in, for example, the 3rd generation water management plans and the impact assessments of fishing activities in Natura 2000 areas.

About the defence

Aris Thomasberger will defend his PhD thesis “Development of drone-based tools for the monitoring of submerged aquatic vegetation” on Friday 12 January 2024 at 11:00. The defence takes place at DTU Aqua, Øroddevej 80, 7800 Nykøbing Mors and can also be followed online (see below). 

Examiners

• Professor Patrizio Mariani, DTU Aqua (chair)
• Professor Thomas Moeslund, Aalborg University, Denmark
• Principal Researcher Ana Lillebø, University of Aveiro, Portugal

Chair at defence

• Senior Researcher Camille Saurel, DTU Aqua

Supervisors

• Principal supervisor: Senior Researcher Mette Møller Nielsen, DTU Aqua
• Co-supervisor: Professor Jens Kjerulf Petersen, DTU Aqua
• Co-supervisor: Professor Mogens René Flindt, University of Southern Denmark

Learn more

A copy of the thesis is available for reading at DTU Aqua. Please contact PhD Coordinator Susan Zumbach Johannesen, szjo@aqua.dtu.dk