The second of three ‘smart cameras’ as part of the Binevenagh Landscape Partnership has been installed on Altikeeragh Bog, and will monitor landscape change as the area is “re-wetted” as part of a wider bog restoration project through the 5 years of the landscape partnership. The camera will record the change in hydrology and vegetation as drainage ditches are blocked, and self-seeded conifers removed.
The technology works by the camera capturing two high resolution stereo images at regular intervals (approximately 10 minutes) which are then automatically stitched together to create time-lapse videos, panoramic views and immersive images that can be viewed online and freely downloaded. A simple mobile phone data sim in the camera ensures that images are regularly uploaded for public viewing and project archive. The cameras are powered by renewable solar energy over the spring and summer and a small wind turbine in the winter months.
The third and final camera will be installed at Magilligan point to monitor tides, dune movement and erosion.
Images and videos of both can be viewed below:
Images and videos from all the cameras are broadcast in near real time, will be publicly available and free to download online, and it is hoped that they will be used by other organisations for climate and habitat change research purposes, as well as having have both educational and tourism added value allowing live ‘virtual’ access to locations that may be difficult to physically access by the public.
Alongside the smart camera’s, Davis weather stations have been installed on the bog and at the Roe Estuary. These stations will record temperature, rainfall, wind speed and direction and will develop a picture of the weather patterns at the sites over the lifetime of the project. Details of weather station data can be viewed below.