Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership
June 4, 2024 SWG: UAV Applications in Lower Columbia Research & Monitoring
The meeting will focus on the expanding use of drones for capturing site condition data in the lower Columbia. We’ll present an overview of the new drone and its sensors, showcasing its capabilities with LiDAR, thermal, and multi-spectral cameras for assessing site topography, water temperature, and vegetation communities. We’ll discuss opportunities to leverage this with existing partner resources and technology for assessing restoration and conservation sites.
Lower Columbia River Reed Canarygrass Macroinvertebrate and Macrodetritus Production Study
Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) is a dominant invasive plant species found in emergent wetland habitats throughout the lower Columbia River. Previous observations in the lower river indicate that the presence of P. arundinacea may decrease plant species diversity and affect aquatic food web function; however, the extent of these ecological effects is unknown. Juvenile salmon utilize emergent wetland habitats for foraging and refuge during outmigration.