Photo Point Monitoring Protocols:
Complete
Protocol
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(All information, unless otherwise noted, has been
summarized from Hall 2002)
Introduction
Benefits
Photo Point Protocols
General Information
Effectiveness of Restoration
Projects
Biodiversity Surveys
Invasive Species Monitoring
Stream Sampling
Intertidal Biodiversity Surveys
Subtidal Surveys
INTRODUCTION
Digital imaging, GPS, and GIS technologies are
revolutionizing the way that scientists are collecting, analyzing, and
displaying spatial data. This project provides students and faculty with
an exciting opportunity to utilize these technologies to collect and
analyze data on the spatial patterns of biodiversity in the Puget Sound
region. A major goal of this work is to make this process as
user-friendly as possible. Therefore, we have mapped out protocols for
surveying in the field using GPS-linked digital photographs or video.
Your field data can then be easily uploaded into MediaMapper®, creating
an interactive map of your study site. The scientific information
presented on this website will be useful to ecologists, government
agencies, community groups, and environmental organizations when they
make important decisions on restoration and development issues.
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BENEFITS
Benefits associated with using a Photo Point
Monitoring protocol
· “Quick
and effective documentation of change”
· Monitor
the effectiveness of a proposed treatment/restoration projects
- Compare the effectiveness of
several treatments (manual removal, herbicide, etc.)
- Observe changes resulting
from management decisions
- Measure biodiversity indices
- Monitor invasive species
- Images can be easily
replicated over time by different individuals
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PHOTO POINT PROTOCOLS
General Information
Documentation is key. You must always assume that
the next person that will be photographing the area will not be the same
as the first person to do so. Therefore you must record specific
information along the way.
- Obtain or create
detailed maps of the area you are photographing. This can be done by
documenting the perimeter of your study site using GPS and creating a
map in MediaMapper (see
GPS Data Collection and
Creating a MediaMapper Map).
- Provide specific
instructions for getting to the photo site. If permits or special
permission are required, be sure to include phone numbers of contacts.
- Create a field book
associated with your photo site. This should include the maps and
instructions, as well as the original photograph and any others that
have been taken since. This is the book in which to document all data
and descriptions.
- In order to take
identical, successional photos, the distance from camera to photo
point must remain the same. Therefore, camera location and
photo point require permanent markers. Collect point data with your
GPS unit at both the camera location and photo point (see
GPS
Data Collection). For ease in the field and exact
location for future photographs, permanent markers should be placed at
these two locations. Cheap fence posts or steel stakes hammered into
the ground work well. If it is impossible to mark your location with
permanent markers, be sure to thoroughly document the coordinates and
direction faced (i.e. N, SW) of both photo point and camera
location with your GPS unit.
- Established dates
and times of day for photographing may be useful. Consistent reference
points can:
1) evaluate
seasonal differences
2) compare change
over several years
3) establish a
consistent time interval
Always record the
time of day the photograph was taken as well as the weather
conditions.
- Always put a scale
bar in your photograph, including a photo identification tag that
includes site name and photograph number. Because the photograph will
be linked to the GPS unit, you will automatically have the date, time,
and coordinates of your photograph. White paper usually shows up badly
in photographs; therefore, it is recommended that you use blue paper
for your ID tag.
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1. Effectiveness of Restoration Efforts
Sample Project:
Identifying Suitable Eelgrass
Restoration Sites in Commencement Bay
Description:
- Uses repeat photography to
document change
- Can monitor trends or changes
in natural resources (inexpensively)
- Can use for education –
biology labs
- Can use for citizen based
monitoring projects – Seattle Aquarium, Puget Creek Restoration
Society, Pierce Conservation District
- Can use as a component of a
larger monitoring report
- “Photographs
of the release site are a valuable qualitative assessment tool. Photos
taken annually from a designated photo point can provide a visual
record of trends or changes in the vegetation at the site over time,
though it does not necessarily show their causes. Thus, photographs
are best used in conjunction with other monitoring techniques.”
This project requires a ‘before’
picture and many ‘after’ pictures to document the change after the
invasive species is removed. The ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures can be
useful in documenting the effectiveness of a certain removal method, or
a comparison of several removal methods, as one can document the percent
cover of the invasive species before and after removal. The succession
of ‘after’ photographs can document how effective the removal was by
monitoring the status of both the invasive species and the native
species.
Equipment needed:
·
Field book
·
Map of photo site
·
Trimble GPS unit
·
Digital camera that as been calibrated with GPS (see
Calibrating your Digital Camera with your Trimble GPS Unit)
·
Appropriate scale bar/meter board and ID tag
·
Compass
What to photograph:
- Large-scale photographs of
restoration site to document overall changes
- What you expect will be
changing (i.e. stream erosion, livestock effects, canopy cover, etc)
- What will be demonstrated by
monitoring area (i.e. effect of livestock on vegetation, increase in
endemic species populations after removal of invasive species)
When to photograph:
Set up a monitoring schedule
before begin project
“Before” photographs to
document area prior to restoration
A succession of “after”
photographs
Procedure:
“Before” photograph:
1.
Determine what needs to be photographed to accurately document
your objectives
2.
Calibrate your digital camera with your GPS unit
3.
Put meter board in ground in middle of picture field
Note:
For projects in which soil erosion, constant plant height documentation,
etc, is required, meter board should be permanently implanted in order
to accurately measure height changes of soil/shrubbery.
Note:
For projects documenting changes in streams/riparian areas, one must be
aware of stream bank erosion. The meter board should be placed at least
a meter from the bank.
4.
Document GPS coordinates of meter board - this will serve as your
photo point
5.
Document GPS coordinates and compass direction of camera location
6.
Record time of day and weather conditions
7.
Include photo ID tag with site name and photograph number in
picture frame
8.
Take photographs of site
Note:
If two photographs are needed to cover a wide angle of scenery, always
include the photo point (meter board) in both photographs for overlap.
9.
Multiple angles of restoration site can be taken following these
steps. Be sure to document GPS coordinates of all photo points and
camera locations
“After” photographs:
1.
Return to site on specified days to document change
2.
Use GPS and compass coordinates to find meter board location and
camera location
3.
Record time of day and weather conditions
4.
Examine previously taken photographs to ensure correct camera
angle
5.
Include photo ID tag with site name and photograph number.
6.
Take photographs of site
7.
Record in field book any obvious changes or details that are
better captured in person than in a photograph
 
Before
and after photographs showing the effects of logging (Hall 2002)
2. Survey of Biodiversity
Sample Projects:
UPS Tree Tour;
Lichen Biodiversity Survey
on Trees around Tacoma, WA;
Forest Habitat
Survey
Description:
-
Determine what is present at a specific location at a
specific time, with tangible evidence
-
If repeated over long period of time, may be able to
detect changes in biodiversity, such as species loss.
Equipment needed:
If surveying along a transect,
What to photograph:
- Large-scale photographs of
overall site
- Close up shots (i.e.
Photographs of a tree may include the entire tree, leaves, bark, and
flowers/seeds)
When to photograph:
- May be useful to document
biodiversity in spring/early summer when plants are in full bloom
Procedure:
1.
Determine what needs to be photographed to accurately document
your objectives
2.
Calibrate your digital camera with your GPS unit
3.
Determine how large an area you will survey (i.e. meter X meter
square off transect)
4.
Lay transect through area to be surveyed and document GPS
coordinates and direction of transect
5.
Generate random numbers
6.
Lay quadrat at designated numbers along transect
7.
Include scale bar in photograph. If using a quadrat, scale can be
marked on its perimeter
8.
Include photo ID tag with site name, photograph number, and
transect number
9.
Place GPS unit by quadrat, not by the camera, to document the
quadrat coordinates and not the camera’s
10.
Photograph the quadrat from a designated height above (i.e. 1
meter above)
11.
Continue this procedure for all randomly generated numbers along
the transect and any other transects surveyed
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3. Invasive Species Monitoring
Sample Project:
Forest Habitat
SurveyDescription:
- Can determine change in
number/density/percent cover of invasive species (or special
status/endangered species) in a specific area
- Can obtain a quantitative
value for monitoring (i.e. Determine how percent cover of invasive
and/or dominant species in quadrat changes with the season)
Part 1: Determining quadrats for random sampling
Equipment needed:
- Aerial photograph of site on
computer, including coordinates (from GoogleEarth, etc)
- Numbered grid overlaid on
photograph
- Random number generator
(available online)
- Hard copy of aerial
photograph or map of the area
Selecting random quadrats
1.
Create a numbered grid and lay it over the aerial photograph of
your site. If this is difficult to do on the computer, laying a
transparent numbered grid on the computer screen works well.
2.
Use the random number generator to determine where on grid you
will be sampling.
3.
Move the mouse arrow to that box on the screen so that you can
record the coordinates associated with the four corners of the quadrat.
4.
Mark the quadrat locations and numbers on a hardcopy of the map
to take into the field.
Note:
Just a general idea of the location, in combination with your GPS unit,
will make it much easier to locate the predetermined quadrat locations.
A problem encountered with this method was randomly selected areas being
inaccessible due to overgrown vegetation. Attempt to reach as close to
your predetermined site as possible, and be sure to record the exact
coordinates of where you surveyed.
Part 2: Collecting the data
Equipment needed:
- Map of site with
predetermined quadrat locations and GPS coordinates noted
- GPS unit
- Digital camera that as been
calibrated with GPS (see
Calibrating your Digital Camera with your Trimble GPS Unit)
- Large tripod
- Tape measure
- Brightly colored stakes to
visually identify the corners of the quadrat – for photos and onsite
determination of percent cover
- Field book
- Appropriate field guide to
flora or fauna of area, if needed
What to photograph:
·
Pre-determined quadrats
·
Use meter X meter quadrats if you want to accurately
measure species abundance or percent cover
- If larger quadrats are
desired, to cover a larger area, you could take multiple photographs
within the quadrat, which could later be put together for the large
view.
When to photograph:
- Most useful to photograph
with the desired species is in full bloom
- Midday: “photos taken near
midday have less shadowing and may be easier to interpret”
Procedure:
1.
Using your GPS unit, find pre-determined quadrats at your site
and mark their four corners using the tape measure and brightly colored
stakes
2.
Calibrate your digital camera with your GPS unit
3.
Set up tripod such that is centers the camera above and at the
middle of the quadrat for an aerial view
4.
Be sure GPS unit is located by tripod to get coordinates of
quadrat location
5.
Include scale bar appropriate to the species you are monitoring
and photo ID tag with site name, photograph number, quadrat number, and
species name
6.
If multiple photographs are taken to document a large quadrat, be
sure to include some reference point (i.e. a stake) in each consecutive
photograph for overlap and ease in putting pictures together to view
larger scene
Determining abundance or percent cover of desired
species:
- Can be done on computer or by
hand
- On computer, once the
photographs are downloaded, programs can calculate the exact area
covered by the invasive species
- By hand, a transparent grid
can be overlaid and the percent cover calculated
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4. Stream Sampling
Sample Projects:
Assessing environmental
health using macroinvertebrates in 3 Puget Sound creeks (Protocol
was modified from M. Ball, Association for Biology Laboratory Education
website);
Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail
Description:
- Determine the presence of
macroinvertebrates in streams and stream beds, using these organisms
as bioindicators for the health of the stream
- Compare the quality of
different streams
- Useful in analyzing stream
restoration success
Equipment needed:
What to photograph:
- Stream sampling site(s)
- Surrounding riparian area
When to photograph:
- Depends on the parameters of
your objective
- Could be before and after a
riparian restoration project
- Could be during different
seasons to monitor year-long changes
- Could be after a human impact
(i.e. sewage leak, etc) to monitor effects
Procedure:
1.
Select areas in the stream in which to sample
Note: It is best to
sample in riffle habitats – shallow, rocky areas with swift current.
Select a riffle that is deeper than the frame of the Surber sampler.
2.
Photograph site
3.
Position the Surber sampler on the stream bottom with its mouth
facing upstream (to catch any organisms flowing downstream in the net)
4.
Photograph sampling spot at a predetermined height above the
water
Note:
This is more to accurately determine your GPS position, but
documentation of the stream is always
useful
5.
Remove all rocks from the sampler frame and place in the plastic
tub filled with a small amount of water
6.
Remove all material from the rocks using the scrubber and
forceps, collecting all organisms removed in the water
7.
Stir the substrate 4-6 inches deep in the Surber sampler frame
for two minutes in order to catch any sediment-dwelling organisms in the
net
8.
Remove the sampler from the stream and carefully wash all
organisms down to the collecting end of the net
9.
Collect all organisms in ethanol container.
10.
Back in lab, identify the macroinvertebrates for abundance and
diversity.
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5. Intertidal Biodiversity Survey
Sample Project:
Intertidal Biodiversity at
Manchester State Park;
Identifying Suitable Eelgrass
Restoration Sites in Commencement Bay
Description:
-
Determine what is present at a specific location at a
specific time, with tangible evidence
-
Can analyze different types of intertidal habitats (i.e.
rocky vs soft-sediment, etc)
-
Can analyze biodiversity differences at different tidal
heights
-
If repeated over long period of time, may be able to
detect changes in biodiversity, such as species loss or what species is
dominant at that location.
Equipment needed:
-
Field book
-
Map of photo site
-
Trimble GPS unit
-
Digital camera that as been calibrated with GPS
-
Appropriate scale bar and ID tag
-
Compass
-
Intertidal organism identification books, if needed (i.e.
Seashore Life of the Northern Pacific Coast: An Illustrated Guide to
Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia by
Eugene N. Kozloff)
-
Tape measure/transect line
-
Quadrat (small: 0.25m2 or large: 1m2)
-
Meter stick
-
Random number generator (available online)
-
Boots/shoes with good traction
What to photograph:
- Quadrats
- Close up shots (i.e.small
organisms encrusted on rock, etc)
When to photograph:
Working at low tide will
provide the largest area to survey
Procedure:
1.
Calibrate your digital camera with your GPS unit.
2.
Lay transect through area to be surveyed. Surveying along a
transect that is parallel to the shoreline will give a general range of
the biodiversity of the site. Surveying along a transect perpendicular
to the shoreline will show the changes in species type and abundance
with change in tidal height. Document GPS coordinates and direction of
transect.
3.
Generate random numbers.
4.
Lay quadrat at designated numbers along transect.
5.
Include scale bar in photograph. Scale can be marked on perimeter
of the quadrat.
6.
Include photo ID tag with site name, photograph number, and
transect number.
7.
Place GPS unit by quadrat, not by the camera, to document the
quadrat coordinates and not the camera’s.
8.
Make sure area is well lit and light is not blocked, such that
the photographs will clearly show the organisms present.
9.
Photograph the quadrat from designated height above (i.e. 1
meter above).
Note:
In habitats such as the rocky intertidal, there are usually just as many
organisms living on the under side of rocks as on top that should be
surveyed. If this is the case, document the top of the rock first (be
sure to include TOP designation on your ID tag). Once the top has been
fully documented (overall quadrat photograph and any close-ups needed),
turn over the rock and quickly photograph the underside (including a
BOTTOM designation on your ID tag) to capture any mobile organisms that
will be quickly running away.
10.
Continue this procedure for all randomly generated numbers along
the transect and any other transects surveyed.
11.
Once photographs have been downloaded onto the computer, it will
be easy to identify and quantify the organisms present.
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6. Subtidal Surveys
Sample Project:
Eelgrass
beds and bacterial mats in Commencement Bay;
South Puget Sound Subtidal Biodiversity
Description:
- Can use underwater
videography techniques and GIS to map subtidal areas of interest
- Can determine the
distribution and abundance of target species in relation to water
depth and sediment type
- Can identify areas best
suited for restoration of target species
Equipment needed:
or
-
VMS-300 hardware
- Laptop computer for
navigation and data storage
- Boat to deploy
underwater video or ROV
Webpage and project content by:
Dr. Joel Elliott, University of Puget
Sound, Department of Biology
Liz Fly, University of Puget Sound, Department of Biology
Erin Spear, University of Puget Sound, Department of Biology
This project is funded by the
Northwest Academic Computing Consortium and the University of Puget
Sound
.
  
jkelliott@ups.edu
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