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Drones address an observational blind spot for biological oceanography

Publication ,  Journal Article
Gray, PC; Larsen, GD; Johnston, DW
Published in: Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
September 1, 2022

Marine biological communities are dynamic across many scales in both space and time. Such multi-scale complexity complicates efforts to fully characterize these communities. Critical processes unfold on the order of 0.1–10 kilometers and 0.1–10 days, but conventional oceanographic techniques generally do not observe or model at this scale. Small aerial drones conveniently achieve scales of observation between satellite resolutions and in-situ sampling, and effectively diminish the “blind spot” between these established measurement techniques. Despite this promise, drone-based techniques face challenges inherent to optical oceanography, as well as logistical and regulatory barriers relating to both aerial and marine operations. Such obstacles have slowed adoption of drones for marine biological study, but best practices are emerging alongside new techniques that facilitate robust study designs and rigorous data collection. With such advancements, drones promise to complement conventional approaches in biological oceanography to more fully capture the spatiotemporal complexity of the marine environment.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

DOI

EISSN

1540-9309

ISSN

1540-9295

Publication Date

September 1, 2022

Volume

20

Issue

7

Start / End Page

413 / 421

Related Subject Headings

  • Ecology
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Gray, P. C., Larsen, G. D., & Johnston, D. W. (2022). Drones address an observational blind spot for biological oceanography. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 20(7), 413–421. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2472
Gray, P. C., G. D. Larsen, and D. W. Johnston. “Drones address an observational blind spot for biological oceanography.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 20, no. 7 (September 1, 2022): 413–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2472.
Gray PC, Larsen GD, Johnston DW. Drones address an observational blind spot for biological oceanography. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 2022 Sep 1;20(7):413–21.
Gray, P. C., et al. “Drones address an observational blind spot for biological oceanography.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, vol. 20, no. 7, Sept. 2022, pp. 413–21. Scopus, doi:10.1002/fee.2472.
Gray PC, Larsen GD, Johnston DW. Drones address an observational blind spot for biological oceanography. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 2022 Sep 1;20(7):413–421.
Journal cover image

Published In

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

DOI

EISSN

1540-9309

ISSN

1540-9295

Publication Date

September 1, 2022

Volume

20

Issue

7

Start / End Page

413 / 421

Related Subject Headings

  • Ecology