Remote Sensing Data

Ecoda uses a range of remote sensing data including satellite, LiDAR, aerial and drone. We can repurpose existing and historical data, help with upgrading the specifications of operational captures and arrange acquisition through our suppliers. We also support you to capture your own drone data, offering complete drone packages with on-site training and ongoing technical support.

Some Ecoda metrics have specific data requirements, for example vegetation cover and health metrics require multi-spectral imagery. We may also require ground validation points, particularly for specialist analyses like flora and weed species detection.

Generally, the quality of the data capture and processing affects the accuracy and precision of the metrics outputs. Various spatial resolutions can be used depending on the purpose of the data and the project objectives. Lower resolution data can be perfectly suitable for large, landscape scale assessments of vegetation canopy cover. However, for detection of small erosion gullies the best outputs are achieved with high resolution drone data.

At the project scoping stage we help you decide on the best type of remote sensing data to suit your requirements and budget.

Yes, you can collect your own data using your own equipment. This means you have full control over your capture schedule and budget; many of our clients send us data for a few select areas per month, throughout the year.

There are many types of drones and sensors (cameras); not all are suitable for capturing the data we need for remote sensing metrics analysis. To achieve the best positional accuracy, we also require base station logging. The best way to know if your equipment is suitable is to get in touch with us.

Out technical data specification outline our requirements for survey implementation, data processing and deliverable formats. We provide support to you as needed through data capture process.

We offer our customers the option to purchase a customised 'Ecoda ready' drone package to enable self-serve capture of high-resolution data suitable for analysis of Ecoda metrics. The package has recently been upgraded to include the new DJI Mavic M3, which captures high quality RGB and Multispectral imagery in both post-processing (PPK) and real-time (RTK) positioning modes. Using this drone, with sufficient instruction and practice, anyone with some experience flying drones should be in a position to collect high quality, reliable data suitable for use in the Ecoda platform.

The Mavic M3 features:

• 20 MP RGB camera
• 4 x 5 MP multispectral sensors (green red, red edge and near infrared)
• RTK module
• Built in sunlight sensor for more accurate and consistent data capture over time
• Obstacle avoidance
• Long battery life (25-minute flights)

The comprehensive package includes all the equipment necessary to conduct professional grade drone surveys onsite including sufficient batteries to survey up to 150 hectares without needing to re-charge. The kit comes with a calibrated reflectance panel ensuring consistency and comparability of multispectral data across subsequent captures, as well as SD cards and hard drives for data transfer.

In drone surveying, a base stations serves as a reference point for accurate positioning and data collection. It plays a crucial role in achieving high-precision measurements and georeferencing of the drone-acquired data, either real time (RTK) or in post processing (PPK). Whether or not a RTK or PPK process is followed, we always recommend that some ground control is installed and surveyed as part of any drone survey.

Should you not have access to survey instrumentation, we offer the option to supply everything everything required to for the accurate surveying of ground control and logging base positions suitable for done photogrammetry.

Multi Scan, our CASA-certified drone partner, provides on-site operational training for your team to use RPA equipment and precision survey equipment. Training includes the following components:

1. Surveying:
   • Equipment familiarisation and setup, mission planning
   • Best practices in choosing base locations and Ground Control Point (GCP) locations
   • Using SurvX to establish projects and observe GCPs
   • Logging base position
   • Downloading survey data and preparing it for the Ecoda platform
2. Drone Surveying:
   • Aircraft familiarisation and setup
   • Mission planning including key mission parameters such as flight area, camera overlap and camera settings required for obtaining high quality data
   • Conducting autonomous mapping missions (planar) including multi-battery flights, mission pause, mission resume, and saving missions for repeat surveys
   • Post mission data download, including images, base logging files and point files from South Survey equipment and data readying for the Ecoda platform

During the training customised Quick Start Guides and Operational Procedures written by Multi Scan will be provided, alongside the standard manufacturer manuals.

Our mobile field data application, Ecoda Scout, comprises data forms configurable for any type of field activity, allowing standardised collection of data by multiple teams in different locations and at any time. Data integrates directly into the Ecoda platform to complement and validate remote sensing data. Click here for more information.

Curated historical monitoring data, management treatment data and reports in any format can be uploaded to spatial locations on the Ecoda workspace.