Initiating monitoring support for the SGSSI-MPA Research and Monitoring Plan
Key Facts
FUNDING SCHEME Darwin Plus
VALUE £283,417
WHERE South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
Summary
The Southern Ocean, including South Georgia, is experiencing ecological change. Key will be establishing baseline datasets from which change over time can be established. However, monitoring represents a significant funding challenge. Unmanned aerial vehicles offer solutions. This project therefore proposes introduction of new-generation fixed-wing survey drones, coupled with sophisticated analyses. This would provide a step-change in ability for multi-species baseline reference surveys, while providing an established workflow into the SGSSI MPA Research and Monitoring Plan, facilitating updates for management policies.
