Since this week's question is open-topic, I thought I would bring up a distinct way of data collection that I have encountered during my work with the Federal Government: visual surveys. In essence, in order to protect fragile ecosystems and environments, scientists have begun to sample environments (particularly marine environments) in new ways, namely by taking pictures. It sounds simple, but it's actually rather complex, because it requires re-creating typical methods such as bottom trawling with video or camera trawling. The equipment has to be able to withstand extreme depths and be towed along the seabed in order to achieve comparable results. In addition, it needs to be able to take clear pictures while also generating a minimal amount of light, so as not to scare off certain species who are light-avoiding. Finally, the results themselves need to be analyzed in a completely different way because they are presented in an entirely different format: instead of a pile of fish and mud, you have a bunch of pictures of fish and mud that need to be sorted through.
I guess that the point I am trying to raise is that this technique makes me think of the increasing possibilities for data collection that are being brought about through new technologies. It allows for a type of traditional fieldwork that no longer requires the scientist to actually go into the field. I'm not sure if anyone is anywhere of any similar techniques, but I'd love to hear about them!
No comments:
Post a Comment