Technological advances, in particular mapping technologies, have
allowed for more in-depth research to take place.
In addition to having real-time images available for land analysis,
mapping technologies provide “record keeping” services which allow researchers to
revert to older images in order to view land changes; help to provide land structure
and composition comparisons, useful for regional planning purposes; and allow sample
scenarios involving the manipulation of land or land changes to be examined, via
layering or map overlapping technology without any disruptive changes to the
land actually taking place.
One area in which mapping technologies is evolving is within
aquatic ecosystems. When land is visible, it is quite easy to capture a spatial
image; although specific maritime software exists, spatial photography of the
sea floor is difficult due to the water surface being too dense to allow for photography.
Nonetheless, the existing technology is being modified and manipulated, per se,
in order to help with the limitation.
As part of the “Ocean GIS Initiative” specialized divers photograph
the sea floor using tools –i.e. grids, GPS enabled underwater cameras--to
specifically capture the images of a particular underwater section. This method
will be useful in helping marine scientists determine coral bleaching, coral
destruction and depletion, and sea floor changes.
Those are just two brief examples in which mapping
technologies are ever-evolving to ease its applicability in environmental
research projects. With time, it is expected that the advances will become much
greater and will provide even more in depth land analysis options.
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