AECOM Develops Innovative Habitat Mapping Technology (USA)

AECOM has developed an innovative technology to survey critical marine habitats that could be at risk from development.

HabiMAP allows engineers and scientists to collect data and map animals and plants on the seafloor using a cutting-edge technique that integrates new survey methods, a purpose-built data input application and the visual and spatial analysis capabilities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software.

Developed in Perth, Australia, HabiMAP is built on top of ArcGIS software and allows the user to map marine features using underwater video footage collected by field crews that is linked to global positioning system (GPS) tracking data via a time stamp. Users can link the position in time along with the video to a GPS location and then tag features of the sea floor to corresponding locations in the video, resulting in geo-located features that can be fed into spatial-analysis tools to determine the type, density, extent and composition of benthic habitat.

AECOM’s David Klap, principal GIS analyst, water and infrastructure services, Australia, noted that HabiMAP provides a new capability to AECOM with more efficient data collection and retrieval plus a greater level of detail and analysis.

“HabiMAP significantly enhances the way we collect information, and the GIS component provides excellent mapping capabilities to visualize the data,” said Klap. “This makes it easier for the scientist to detect spatial relationships or trends and is further enhanced when extra GIS layers such as bathymetry or remote-sensing information are added.”

Marine scientists can significantly benefit by being able to explore and experiment with different combinations of habitats and densities to define final habitats and their boundaries.

“This tool has revolutionized the way we work because the efficiencies gained through the system’s integrated approach allow us to offer clients a value-for-money solution and a better product than before,” Klap said.

HabiMAP was initially developed to solve the challenge of how to survey and map environmentally sensitive coral, sea grass and filter feeder animals that could be impacted by a large port development area for a client.

“Traditionally, this data was logged in a spreadsheet as a row of information, but our solution is completely automated and visual, and pinpoints the exact location of benthic marine life,” said Klap.

Since developing HabiMAP, AECOM’s office in Perth has collaborated with other AECOM offices in Australia to make habitat mapping an integral part of the services offered to clients.

“It is extremely valuable for clients seeking environmental approval, developing environmental management plans and monitoring marine habitats as part of the approval conditions,” said Klap. “In addition, it enhances safety because the undersea camera means no one needs to be in the water.”

The tool has been used to evaluate marine habitats for projects around Australia, in locations including Anketell Point Port, Pilbara, Western Australia; Arafura, Spencer Gulf, South Australia; and Point Wilson, Port Phillip Bay, Victoria.

HabiMAP allows engineers and scientists from multiple disciplines, including environmental, maritime and geotechnical, to work together and use the data collection and mapping outputs to develop the best project outcomes.

“HabiMAP also encourages learning and development opportunities across all staff levels, especially the chance for entry-level employees to participate in exciting new developments and technologies,” said Klap.

 “The HabiMAP technology is a great example of AECOM’s continuous integration of technology software programs to offer solutions that add value for our clients’ projects,” said Jim Walsh, AECOM senior vice president and chief technology officer.

By fusing video with GPS data, HabiMAP also has the potential to be applied to other video survey tasks that require objects to be linked to geographical locations, such as highway, rail and pipeline corridor mapping, plus other aerial survey tasks.

About AECOM

AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government. With approximately 45,000 employees around the world, AECOM is a leader in all of the key markets that it serves. AECOM provides a blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation, and technical excellence in delivering solutions that create, enhance and sustain the world’s built, natural, and social environments. A Fortune 500 company, AECOM serves clients in approximately 125 countries and had revenue of $7.7 billion during the 12 months ended June 30, 2011.

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Source: AECOM , October 10 , 2011;  Image: niwa