Atlas of Posidonia
This project aims to complete the existing cartography based on the Posidonia oceanica, checking the validity and degree of fidelity / integrity of this, creating an App that allows the user to know if they are in a permitted anchorage area or not, as well as publicize the project and its application
Cartography of Posidonia
The Atlas of Posidonia oceanica has involved an exhaustive field work and cabinet that has made it possible to identify the marine habitats that exist in the Balearic Islands through different techniques, among which is the Lateral Scan Sonar or the interpretation of satellite images. The result of this project is a cartography with a high level of detail of the Posidonia oceanica on the seabed of the Balearic Islands. The last phase of this project has consisted of the development of the App “Posidonia GOIB”, which allows any user to know, through geolocation and in real time, the seabed on which they intend to anchor. Ensuring that the anchoring will be done correctly and never on Posidonia oceanica.
Atlas of Posidonia
The main objective of the project is to improve our knowledge on distribution of Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Balearic Islands, specifically in the islands of Formentera, Ibiza, Menorca and Mallorca, as well as to make available to citizens, especially the users of the pleasure boats, the information with the exact location of the Posidonia oceanica meadows.
The purpose is to integrate this cartography into the APP developed by the Government of the Balearic Islands “Posidonia GOIB”, which will allow any user through said APP to know exactly, through geolocation and in real time, where they can anchor the vessels, preventing any damage over Posidonia ocenanica meadows.
Inventory, compilation and analysis of existing Posidonia oceanica cartography.
Analysis, among others, of the information from the Menorca Socio-environmental Observatory (OBSAM, 2019), Consell de Ibiza (coves of Ibiza, 2018), Posidonia MAPS Project (Vellmari Association, Manu San Félix, 2016), OCEANSNELL (reference cartography in Formentera, 2016), LIFE Posidonia Project (2010) and Ecocartographies (former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 2008). Information from Route No. 3 – Volume II (2010). The elements that may produce an impact in the study area have been georeferenced: buoys, ports, anchorages, outfalls, etc.
Image interpretation of aerial photographs Between 0 and 5 meters deep
Digitization and image interpretation based on the PNOA 2019-18 aerial photos, with the support of all previous coverage available.
Reprocessing of the information available from the LIFE Posidonia project between 20 and 30 meters deep
Bionomic mapping carried out in the LIFE Posidonia project of the Balearic Islands (LIFE00 / NAT / E / 7303).
Side Scan Sonar Campaign (SSS) between 0 and 35 meters
By means of 2 sonar models with a frequency range between 100-500 kHz and 500-900 kHz, and the use of SonarPro software for data acquisition
Punctual sampling campaign
Field campaigns to verify the correct identification of marine habitats in the following areas: priority areas, where inconsistencies have been detected between the different cartographies, or difficulties in classifying the bottoms. In the sampling campaigns, an underwater drone (ROV) and a bottom view have been used.
Integration and generation of a Posidonia oceanica cartography in the Balearic Islands
ArcGIS 10.3 software is used to integrate the cartography. This software allows the superposition of different sources of georeferenced information, which is necessary to assess the highest quality and precision cartography in each area. As well as, the use of different tools for digitizing and editing the layers
Communication and dissemination actions
In addition, the project has included several communication and dissemination activities, with the aim of aware on the importance of protecting Posidonia oceanica, and making known the existence of a new homogeneous, precise and updated cartography, available to through the APP “Posidonia GOIB”
Territory: Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera
Entity presenting the project: Govern de les Illes Balears
Amount: € 774,821 Call year: 2017
Execution: 2017 – 2019
Execution Status: Started
Purpose: Environment
PROJECT ACTIONS
Side Scan Sonar (SSS)
Side Scan Sonar of the island of Mallorca from 0 to 30 meters. In deeper areas there have been other existing cartographies
Aerial images
In the areas closest to the coast, the clear and transparent areas are image interpreted with an aerial image and then, field campaign where there were doubts.
Review of existing cartographies
In Ibiza and Formentera they have been updated and integrated with new maps. In Menorca, the main cartography is the one produced by OBSAM
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