Photo Point Monitoring

Photo point monitoring was developed for people interested in appraising changes that are often associated with urban encroachment. The primary goal of this technique is to have a fast, simple and effective way of monitoring both the positive and negative changes to the environment. At a generally low overall cost to a project, this method provides an excellent tool to effectively monitor changes to the landscape as it progresses thru various stages of development.

The basis for Photo Point Monitoring is to provide a means to monitor change on a particular area of interest using repeat photography. The type of change that can be monitored includes restoration projects, stream erosion, disruption of sensitive habitat and any other environmental change that may need monitoring. The use of photo point monitoring will show what changes are occurring over time so you can better manage and monitor an area under scrutiny.

Photo Point Monitoring uses a camera that is set-up at a specific distance from a measured metre stick. This metre stick is used as the “photo point” for the area of interest. Determining camera location(s), metre stick location(s) and how to best photograph the area of interest would all have to be analyzed on site at the initial set-up. Factors that have to be considered when using photo point monitoring are:

·        Camera type (35mm, digital, or video)

·        Film speed (100ASA – 400ASA)

·        Camera locations (preferably ones that photograph more than one photo point)

·        Metre stick locations (this location is best if centred in the area of interest)

·        Area access by wildlife or public (camera and metre stick locations must be permanently marked)

·        Frequency of repeat photography (monthly, seasonally or yearly)

For photo point monitoring to be effective the camera type, focal length, film speed, camera location, distance from metre stick and metre stick location must all be constant through out the life of the monitoring.

Once photo point monitoring has begun, a simple filing system will be created to make data collection and analysis easy to manage. This filing system will enable an accurate analysis of the data collected. It will ensure that all photos taken will be properly recorded and easily repeated through out the process. At the end of the monitoring, this filing system will greatly reduce the time needed to analyze the photos.

Depending on the type of monitoring needed, once the data has been collected analysis can determine many changes that simple site verification would not. For example stream bank erosion would not necessarily be noticed by a simple site inspection whereas through photo point monitoring analysis you would not only determine that erosion took place but by how much and when. It would also show the after effects of this erosion on the surrounding landscape.

Once the initial set-up and filing system have been organized, the repeat photography process can be done by anyone who has been trained in general photographic techniques. This process is relatively easy and ensures the continuation of long-term projects. Repeat photography can take anywhere from several weeks to several years.

What Cascadia Biological Services can do for you is set-up a photo point monitoring system that will answer your questions easily and quickly. We will set-up and maintain systems for as long as necessary or if you prefer we can train staff in a one day workshop on the process of repeat photography and data filing so you can continue the project on your own. Our trained personnel will offer you the very best in analysis and data management to make your decision-making easier and quicker.

In the figures below are examples of photo point monitoring. The first photopoint is of a stream rehabilitation project taken in October (coastal system).  The second photopoint is in December of the same year.