In the analysis stage processed kelp polygon data is transformed into actionable insights and scientific understanding to help inform management decisions. This can include assessing and visualizing your data, statistical analyses, trend detection, and interpretation of results within the broader ecological context. This is the stage where data and information is communicated effectively to inform decision-making.
Stage outcomes
At this stage of the workflow the outputs from your time series of drone data are used to analyze trends and status of kelp forest extent at your monitoring sites. The outcomes from this stage include:
Statistical analyses of kelp forest change at sites through time.
Kelp report cards of kelp forest trends and status including bar plots.
An understanding of kelp dynamics at your site within a broader context of the British Columbia coast.
Step 1 - Assessing your data
Make sure you have sufficient quality data to answer your research questions. For example, if you want to understand kelp extent trends you will need to have multiple data points at the same location over time. On the other hand, having data from multiple locations will be important if you want to be able to assess ecosystem health in a region.
Some key considerations when assessing the quality of your data are:
Correcting for the tide level
The tide level at which data are collected affects measurements of kelp canopy area. If you conduct surveys at different tide heights you may need to consider testing to see if tide plays a significant role in modelling changes in kelp canopy over time. You can consider applying a tide factor described in Timmer et al. 2024 where:
Tide corrected canopy height = X*(1+(0.257*Y)
X = canopy height (m) from drone survey (ie. Habitat Mapper outputs)
Y = tide height (m) during the drone survey
Review the paper and consider whether this correction is appropriate for your region.
Environmental conditions
During a survey, environmental conditions such as water action, low light, currents, and cloud cover, can cause under-detection of surface floating canopy kelp. Make sure you have reviewed your data and it is appropriate to include in your analysis. Where there is high uncertainty, you may want to consider removing that data.
Step 2 - Visualize your data
Transform your analysis results into compelling visual communications. Make sure you keep your audience in mind as it will determine the level of detail you may need to provide, as well as which type of tool might be best used to communicate your findings.
The Kelp Report Card provides a report which summarizes the status of a type of canopy kelp (Macrocystis or Nereocystis) at particular sites using drone-based imagery. The analysis includes the application of tide corrections, calculation of averages, and visualization of the data.
It can be insightful to compare your data with the bigger kelp context. For example, it may be helpful to understand whether your sample site is seeing the same trends or different trends as broader regions. The factors that impact whether kelp thrives can vary locally and regionally, and seeing how trends align can help inform insights as to what factors are impacting the kelp you are measuring.
To explore where kelp forests grow along British Columbia’s coast and how they have changed over time you can use the KelpExplorer. This platform allows you to explore mapped kelp forests across three modalities: drones, fixed-wing aircraft, and satellite, which can be used to answer different objectives.
Other platforms that provide information on the health and status of kelp along the Pacific coastline include KelpWatch and the Floating Kelp Forest Indicator for WA State.
Step 4 - Create a sharable report of your data
A report can be used to provide management recommendations, stewardship guidance, disseminate data into a community, and facilitate data-driven decision-making. The Kelp Report Card script can be used to automatically process and visualize your data and to generate analytics.
Review the results of the generator and select the insights that communicate your key takeaways from your monitoring program.
Be sure to provide context about the nature of the data you have collected, and any caveats that might be relevant for readers to appreciate.
Resources
Easily access all the resources used by the steps in this stage.
Next stage
Once you have completed analyzing your data, you will be ready to start thinking about the following year of monitoring. This is a good time to go back to the planning stage and use what you have learned about your goals and processes to improve your plan for next year. Alternatively, see how other organizations have applied the Kelp Drone Mapping method and resources.
