Tethered and aerial photography research

Dr Mark Mulligan, King's College London

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Introduction

Spatial modelling requires spatially varying data. For small scale (large area) studies satellite remote sensing can often provide the data required but for large scale (small area) studies even the highest resolution satellite remote sesning is generally too coarse in detail to provide the level of detail required. We have used airborne platforms and ground tethered platforms flying digital cameras to achieve much greater spatial detail in order to provide the information required for detailed spatial modelling

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Airborne photography

We have employed a number of platforms from small fixed wing aircraft to helicopters for the collection ofaerial photography and videography in studies of mammal population counts, tree diversity, land use change and impacts of the oil industry.

 

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Ground-tethered photography

 

We have developed novel helium balloon and model helicopter-based techniques for carrying cameras above landscapes and canopies to provide spatial data on land surface properties.

 

 

Applications

Applications have included studies of tree diversity, mammal population counts, studies of land cover change, hydrology and others.

Accessed times since November 2006