Evaluating the Accuracy of Unmanned Aerial Systems to Quantify Glacial Ice Habitats of Harbor Seals in Alaska

Long-term monitoring programs to evaluate climate-driven changes to tidewater glaciers, an important habitat for harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in Alaska, are primarily carried out by costly, weather-dependent aerial surveys from fixed-winged aircraft. Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) can be an alternative cost-effective solution for gathering image data to quantify, monitor, and manage these habitats. However, there is a paucity of information related to the accuracy of using imagery collected by UAS for purposes of measuring floating icebergs. We evaluated the accuracy of using a UAS with a built-in 20 megapixel (MP) camera as well as a consumer-grade digital 16 MP camera to capture images of floating and stationary icebergs for the purpose of collecting vertical height measurements. Images (n=869) were captured of simulated icebergs (Cuboidal foam boxes) “Cb” (n=5) and real icebergs (n=5) that were either grounded or floating. The mean error ratios obtained were less than 10% and derived by comparing the mean calculated measurements of heights of Cb obtained from images captured by UAS with the physical measured heights of these Cb. The mean error ratio for height measurements of grounded icebergs (n=4) and one floating iceberg was also less than 10%. Within an object-image distance range of 6-25 m, the cameras captured images that were suitable to accurately calculate the heights of floating and grounded objects, and drift or uncontrolled movement of the UAS caused by wind or temporary loss of GPS did not appear to have any significant effects on measurement error. Our study provides substantial evidence of the high accuracy associated with using images captured by UAS for measuring dimensions of structures positioned on water and land surfaces. Ultimately, accurate surveys of glacial ice used by harbor seals will improve our understanding about the role of decreasing habitat in explaining population variability between different tidewater glaciers.Funding was provided by the Resilience and Adaptation Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Rasmuson Foundation, the Carlson scholarship, Alaska EPSCoR NSF award #OIA-1757348 and the State of Alaska, the Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) Program through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under three linked awards number RL5GM118990, TL4GM118992 and 1UL1GM118991, and The Alaska Center for Climate Assessment & Policy (ACCAP). National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) John Jansen and Steve Lewis, Kaja BrixYe