Computer generated 3D visualisations are being used to help study river  pollution of the River Doe Lea. The research project, carried out by the  National Trust with partner institutions the University of Sheffield,  Environment Agency, Natural England and other consultancies aims to develop a  multi-targeted catchment management strategy.

Airborne remote sensing data, supplied by Bluesky, was used as part of a PhD study carried out within the  project. The digital aerial photography, Colour Infrared imagery (CIR) and  photogrammetrically derived digital height models were used to model the flow of  agricultural pollutants and assess the diffusive effect on the landscape.   

Results from the project ‘Modelling Catchment Landscapes Potential  to Mitigate Diffuse Pollution from Agriculture’ were recently presented at an international conference on Catchment Science organised and attended by members of CatSci a multidisciplinary research programme in catchment science funded by  the European Commission under the Marie Curie Early Stage Training Fellowship  scheme. 

Nataliya Tkachenko, author of the research project  commented, “The primary aim of the study was to develop an interactive landscape  model, which would give the possibility to evaluate mitigation options in  scenario context and open opportunities for participatory GIS applied to  agriculture. This model is novel in the aspect of geotargeting of mitigation  options within the real landscape, where solutions can be downscaled to the  finer elements.

Evaluation of landscape processes in the context environment is  highly complicated process, which requires substantial amount of data input on  various temporal and spatial scales. Both 3D visualisation, CIR derived  indicators and temporal data are powerful source of input  information.” 

She continued, “Being able to represent and visualise  the countryside in all aspects was essential for the accurate modelling of the  mitigating effects of the landscape on the agricultural pollutants studied. The  Bluesky data was available off the shelf and in a format and specification  suitable for use in our geographical information system (GIS) and image analysis software.” 

The Bluesky data supplied to the University of Sheffield  for this study is part of the GeoPerspectives product range. GeoPerspectives  offers nationwide coverage of high resolution aerial photography and Colour  Infrared imagery as well as highly accurate, photogrammetrically derived Digital  Terrain Models (the earth’s surface excluding buildings and vegetation) and  Digital Surface Models (the earth’s surface including buildings and vegetation). 

Bluesky is also able to provide ultra detailed LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data and services covering the majority of England and Wales including  all major urban centres, coastal areas and flood plains.