How advancements in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technologies are changing how we study and communicate findings regarding coastal change studies in Newfoundland and Labrador

Coastal environments are important cultural, historical and ecological places in Newfoundland and Labrador, where over 90 % of the population lives. The last glaciation influenced the development of the coast, and the impacts... [ view full abstract ]

Coastal environments are important cultural, historical and ecological places in Newfoundland and Labrador, where over 90 % of the population lives. The last glaciation influenced the development of the coast, and the impacts are visible in the formation of unconsolidated cliffs built in glacial and proglacial sediments, outwash deposits, fiords, dunes, boulder barricades, estuaries, salt marshes, and barrier beaches. Changing climate conditions, sea level rise, and development pressures in addition to natural coastal processes are changing the morphology and sediment composition of these environments.

The Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador is leading a province-wide, long-term coastal monitoring program, where, through the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), high-resolution datasets are being collected to create highly accurate models. Comparisons of multi-date data allows for the measurement of temporal changes in landscape morphology.  The data generated are being used to quantify annual rates of erosion in unconsolidated cliffs;  identification of coastal processes causing change and the implications of climate change;  terrain stability analysis to assess the vulnerability of  landslides; mapping of areas at risk to flooding due to sea level rise and storms surges; and an assessment of changes to beaches which has a range of applications including infrastructure risk assessment and an identification of fish spawning habitats. Data outputs including digital surface models, three-dimensional models, photographs and videos are being shared on social media, websites, and paper reports, and the visual nature of these products is leading to increases in stakeholder engagement and data utilization.