APEM’s innovations of 2021

Using LiDAR to support critical assets

After investing in LiDAR technology we deployed it alongside image sensors on helicopter platforms to explore new ways of capturing ultra-high density LiDAR point clouds and oblique imagery on critical assets, working with our clients to discover better ways to utilise the data.

Measuring natural capital and biodiversity net gain with COVER+®

We launched COVER+®, the sister product to H2OVER®. This digital innovation supports geospatially quantifying natural capital and ecosystem services, bringing together the best methodologies into one holistic tool.

What lies beneath the water surface?

APEM’s Field team trialled the use of submersible ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) to detect crayfish in reservoirs.

INNS risk assessment tool

The INNS specialists at APEM developed and delivered an invasive species risk assessment tool for strategic resource options on behalf of the Environment Agency. This compliments the range of tool kits and methodologies specifically designed for assessing INNS related risks and informing the development of options appraisals and biosecurity plans APEM have created.

Digitising ornithological data

Digitally transforming the capture of ornithological field data by investing in new tablets using QField to record bird species, the number of individuals, sex/age, any behavioural traits and location. This has allowed for data to be collected more efficiently and being readily available for use at the end of surveys in formats that allow for a clearer understanding of data in an instant, whilst reducing the likelihood of data being mis-interpreted and no data collation errors.

A new Taxonomic Discrimination Protocol

APEM’s Labs team continued to innovate under their administration of the NMBAQC scheme. The team have issued the preliminary draft of the development of standard recording policies for north-east Atlantic macrobenthic samples, including a draft Taxonomic Discrimination Protocol (TDP). This will enable all the different monitoring authorities, and contractors, to adopt a consistent approach to identification levels so that national datasets are comparable.

Measuring bird flight heights

We further refined our offshore ultra-high resolution digital aerial surveys by combining them with LiDAR technology. This innovative methodology accurately calculates marine bird flying height and by customising the sensors it enabled an even greater LiDAR point density to be collected than previously, which has ensured even the smallest marine birds could be identified and surveyed for flight heights.

The meeting of minds to record nesting kittiwakes

Collaboration between APEM’s Data Operations, Marine Wildlife Survey, Image Analysis and Ornithology Consulting teams led to new methodologies to collect data on nesting kittiwakes on offshore structures in the southern North Sea. The system we deployed was able to lock its camera system on a fixed point (in this instance a number of oil and gas platforms) whilst flying around the structures to allow data to be collected from all angles to identify where kittiwakes were nesting on ledges and platforms. The data collected was used to determine if kittiwakes were present, whether they were nesting and if so, how many were present and if they were successfully rearing chicks.