Surveys and Mapping
Habitat Mapping
Envision has been at the forefront of habitat mapping for many years, and has participated in national and international initiatives for developing and standardising protocols. We interpret survey data collected either by ourselves or externally and undertake mapping projects employing GIS modelling techniques. Our experience covers a range of marine habitats from temperate to tropical ecosystems.
Seabed Surveys
Envision has a range of acoustic equipment which enables the survey of marine habitats covering the continental shelf and are fully conversant with the analysis and interpretation of the data. Envision uses swath bathymetric systems, side-scan sonar, single beam echo sounders and acoustic ground discrimination systems, in combination with benthic sampling, such as video and grab sampling. We participate in research programs developing techniques to survey the marine benthic environment. Our knowledge and experience has been invaluable to clients to ensure that surveys deliver outputs which are fit for purpose.
Video Analysis
Video provides a sampling tool that has a wide range of applications in the marine environment. With care, the technique can provide semi-quantitative or fully quantitative data for environmental assessment. Envision has a long history of developing video sampling techniques and protocols for the analysis of video footage of the seafloor, with expertise in taxonomy and species identification, assessment of substrate composition and biotope allocation.
Training
Envision is keen to see appropriate techniques for habitat and ecosystem survey to be adopted to meet requirements for the management of marine and coastal resources. We have participated in a number of projects whose aim has been to transfer skills to organisations involved with coastal and marine management.
Ship Grounding Assessment
Envision can provide rapid habitat surveys and assessment of grounding sites worldwide with tailored advice and assessment of the ecological effect of grounding, the likely trajectories of habitat recovery and provide advice on the valuation of damage for ship owners, insurers and the legal profession.
Seabed Mapping of the Wash and Thames
A study into potential new areas of conservation including the Annex 1 habitats 'reefs' and 'submerged sandbanks', was performed in conjunction with Entec UK using GIS, desktop reviews and surveys. Results from the analysis of existing data and biological, video and acoustic surveys of the Outer Wash and Greater Thames areas are being fed into the regulatory conservation process.
