Integrated environmental mapping and monitoring, a methodological approach to optimise knowledge gathering and sampling strategy

Ingunn Nilssen; Øyvind Ødegård; Asgeir J Sørensen; Geir Johnsen; Mark A Moline; Jørgen Berge

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.04.045

Integrated environmental mapping and monitoring, a methodological approach to optimise knowledge gathering and sampling strategy

Mar Pollut Bull. 2015 Jul 15;96(1-2):374-83. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.04.045. Epub 2015 May 5.

Authors

Ingunn Nilssen¹, Øyvind Ødegård², Asgeir J Sørensen³, Geir Johnsen⁴, Mark A Moline⁵, Jørgen Berge⁶

Affiliations

¹ Statoil ASA, Research, Development and Innovation, N-7005 Trondheim, Norway; Trondhjem Biological Station, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway. Electronic address: innil@statoil.com.
² Department of Archaeology and Cultural History, University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway; Centre for Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems (AMOS), Department of Marine Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
³ Centre for Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems (AMOS), Department of Marine Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
⁴ Trondhjem Biological Station, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway; Centre for Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems (AMOS), Department of Marine Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway; University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), P.O. Box 156, N-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway.
⁵ School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
⁶ BFE Faculty, Institute for Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway; University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), P.O. Box 156, N-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway.

PMID: 25956441
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.04.045

Abstract

New technology has led to new opportunities for a holistic environmental monitoring approach adjusted to purpose and object of interest. The proposed integrated environmental mapping and monitoring (IEMM) concept, presented in this paper, describes the different steps in such a system from mission of survey to selection of parameters, sensors, sensor platforms, data collection, data storage, analysis and to data interpretation for reliable decision making. The system is generic; it can be used by authorities, industry and academia and is useful for planning- and operational phases. In the planning process the systematic approach is also ideal to identify areas with gap of knowledge. The critical stages of the concept is discussed and exemplified by two case studies, one environmental mapping and one monitoring case. As an operational system, the IEMM concept can contribute to an optimised integrated environmental mapping and monitoring for knowledge generation as basis for decision making.

Keywords: Adaptive sampling; Decision making; Integrated environmental mapping and monitoring; Multidisciplinary approach; Sensor platform.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Decision Making
Environment
Environmental Monitoring / methods*
Geographic Mapping*
Humans
Industry