Webb Coastal Research Station

The video above was captured from a Skydio2+ drone flying over Butler Island just north of Butler Boulevard at the intracoastal waterway in Jacksonville, Florida. The drone flew just over the tree tops coming from the northeast and flying toward the southwest. In the video, an eagle’s nest can be seen in the tree tops as it approaches the UNF faculty and students working in the marsh.

The virtual tour above allows visitors the ability to virtually walk around Butler Island.  Visitors can follow the path and see faculty and students installing elevation monitoring plots that will be used to monitor sea level rise in the marshland. The virtual tour allows visitors to explore the WEBB Property without further impacts on the marsh.

The Research Technology Services (RTS) staff has been supporting researchers in acquiring data to help in the salt marsh research and monitoring. Leveraging advanced technologies, RTS staff employed drones to capture orthorectified imagery and aerial videos across various segments of the Webb property. RTS staff also utilized high-precision Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to collect topographic data and an accurate mapping of a sampling of locations, monitoring equipment, and surface elevation tables.

Orthorectified aerial imagery is a type of aerial photo that has been corrected to fix any distortions, like uneven land or camera angles. This makes the images accurate for measuring and mapping as if you're looking at a flat map, which helps in planning and analyzing areas.

RTS staff are actively engaged with researchers in planning the capture of aerial imagery for the entire Webb property throughout the year. This comprehensive approach encompasses the acquisition of true-color orthorectified imagery, multispectral imaging to monitor vegetation health, and LiDAR technology for precise elevation mapping. 

LiDAR technology uses laser light to measure distances by hitting targets with laser beams and measuring how long it takes for the light to return. This data is used to create precise, three-dimensional information about the shape and surface characteristics of an area.