Designing a bio-sensitive visualisation for saltmarsh conservation
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Design Manufacture and Engineering Man
Abstract
Biodiversity and the effective preservation of natural resources is an
essential aspect of sustainable development. As an island nation, in the
United Kingdom cost-effective and environmentally sensitive
approaches to local coastal management are a particularly important
component of this equation. To this end, Siskin Asset Management Limited (SAML) has developed a system of coastal protection which
comprises sustainably available natural materials anchored on
shorelines. This structure then acts to capture mobile sediment and
promote re-vegetation of the existing coast to increase resilience to
erosion.
There currently exists no means to accurately measure and monitor
how SAML's system affects biodiversity over time. The ability to
document and communicate the long-term impact of their system has
the potential to significantly influence the wide range of stakeholders
party to any installation decision. This includes coastal communities,
landowners, councils, and water and utilities providers amongst
others. Each installation presents unique requirements in terms of
environmental conditions, and conveying the way in which the system
can be adapted and configured to meet these is challenging.
This project will therefore utilise human-centred design techniques to
support the specification, generation and evaluation of a Biodiversity
Digital Twin (BioDT). This will be a physical representation of the
model that is augmented with digital information gathered from
sensors and measurements of the system when it is in situ. This will
provide an interactive and engaging demonstrator which describes
how biosystems and ecosystems can recover and grow post installation.
Helping SAML to evolve and improve their system while at
the same time conveying to clients, local authorities, industry and the
wider public government how such systems could be of benefit in other
locations.
The key case study that has been identified is an ongoing initiative at
the Morecambe Bay salt marshes. This is an important area for
wildlife, birdlife and marine habitats, and historical and future
reclamation exercises have the potential for significant biodiversity
net gains (BNGs). SAML have developed a new low profile of their
coastal erosion system (previous beach installations have been higher
profile) that would be ideal for such an application. However, salt
marshes are highly susceptible to 'drowning' and careful monitoring
of water, tide and protection levels is necessary for them to thrive.
In order to deliver an accurate and arresting digital twin, consultation
will take place with representative stakeholders from SAML's existing
customer base and those associated specifically with Morecambe Bay
to understand requirements. These will be used to identify a range of
environmental measures and to drive technical adaptations to the
erosion system. These will be installed and trialled on-site withsupport from SAML. In parallel, the physical-digital representation
will be created at the University of Strathclyde, using co-design
processes to evaluate and refine the configuration based on feedback
from multiple stakeholders. The result will be a novel desktop
demonstrator that shows how large-scale environmental installations
can be connected to critical biodiversity metrics and communicated
through engaging, immersive and interactive digital technologies.
essential aspect of sustainable development. As an island nation, in the
United Kingdom cost-effective and environmentally sensitive
approaches to local coastal management are a particularly important
component of this equation. To this end, Siskin Asset Management Limited (SAML) has developed a system of coastal protection which
comprises sustainably available natural materials anchored on
shorelines. This structure then acts to capture mobile sediment and
promote re-vegetation of the existing coast to increase resilience to
erosion.
There currently exists no means to accurately measure and monitor
how SAML's system affects biodiversity over time. The ability to
document and communicate the long-term impact of their system has
the potential to significantly influence the wide range of stakeholders
party to any installation decision. This includes coastal communities,
landowners, councils, and water and utilities providers amongst
others. Each installation presents unique requirements in terms of
environmental conditions, and conveying the way in which the system
can be adapted and configured to meet these is challenging.
This project will therefore utilise human-centred design techniques to
support the specification, generation and evaluation of a Biodiversity
Digital Twin (BioDT). This will be a physical representation of the
model that is augmented with digital information gathered from
sensors and measurements of the system when it is in situ. This will
provide an interactive and engaging demonstrator which describes
how biosystems and ecosystems can recover and grow post installation.
Helping SAML to evolve and improve their system while at
the same time conveying to clients, local authorities, industry and the
wider public government how such systems could be of benefit in other
locations.
The key case study that has been identified is an ongoing initiative at
the Morecambe Bay salt marshes. This is an important area for
wildlife, birdlife and marine habitats, and historical and future
reclamation exercises have the potential for significant biodiversity
net gains (BNGs). SAML have developed a new low profile of their
coastal erosion system (previous beach installations have been higher
profile) that would be ideal for such an application. However, salt
marshes are highly susceptible to 'drowning' and careful monitoring
of water, tide and protection levels is necessary for them to thrive.
In order to deliver an accurate and arresting digital twin, consultation
will take place with representative stakeholders from SAML's existing
customer base and those associated specifically with Morecambe Bay
to understand requirements. These will be used to identify a range of
environmental measures and to drive technical adaptations to the
erosion system. These will be installed and trialled on-site withsupport from SAML. In parallel, the physical-digital representation
will be created at the University of Strathclyde, using co-design
processes to evaluate and refine the configuration based on feedback
from multiple stakeholders. The result will be a novel desktop
demonstrator that shows how large-scale environmental installations
can be connected to critical biodiversity metrics and communicated
through engaging, immersive and interactive digital technologies.
| Description | The overall project included significant pieces of research and design/development work, in order to achieve its main aim; to develop a bio-sensitive visualisation system for enhanced user engagement and technology understanding. This tool has already been proved to positively influence the way in which SAML can communicate the potential functionality and impact of their designs to their clients and project stakeholders more dynamically. In the foreground of our development process was a three-phase framework for physical-digital interaction, which highlights users' different levels of understanding, interaction and "presence" during a Mixed Reality experience blending printed artifacts with Augmented Reality (AR) apps. A series of three AR apps have been built based on the project's main case study at Hest Bank beach in Morecambe Bay, each one corresponding to the framework's phases respectively. The identified site experiences degraded saltmarsh and coastal erosion issues and is in need for design intervention of a dual functionality, as developed by SAML: 1) to regenerate the saltmarsh by promoting revegetation of the area and 2) to protect the eroded cliff and coastal path. To deliver this, the conducted work comprised of 3 main themes: 1) Generation of IoT architecture and configuration of sensor modules 2) Building of tangible, 3D models through topographic and environmental data 3) Development of visualisation interfaces using AR technology 1) Research on saltmarsh ecosystems was conducted to identify key monitoring parameters and adjust them for Hest Bank. An IoT architecture was developed, incorporating sensors into waterproof modules to be integrated into SAML structures. To ensure accuracy, the system was iteratively tested in a lab and then deployed in a water environment. The biodata was successfully transmitted to the cloud via Dropbox online folders. |
| Exploitation Route | 1) A model for merged physical-digital human-computer interactions, that can be applied in any similar context for enhanced interaction and communication. 2) Knowledge of coastal defence systems and regeneration techniques in particular, an area which is very important when designing-for-nature 3) Comprehensive learning in terms of saltmarsh environments and their regeneration, including their geomorphological categorisation, zonation types and their biotic/abiotic characteristics (e.g. tidal patterns, vegetation and soil ingredients in conjunction with climate conditions) 4) IoT architectures and remote sensing principles: Sensor types for each metric and their capabilities, their integration with microprocessors into a common layout in conjunction with any required design modifications. 5) The use of GIS software for processing topography and elevation data for visualisation through physical, 3D printed Digital Elevation/Terrain Models - including different types of maps, STRM and LiDAR datasets and their potential usages for various design purposes. |
| Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Environment |
| Description | As the non-academic Partner in this project, SAML have utilised the outputs as part of their work in the Morecambe Bay area where they are experiencing 3 problems: 1. Costal Erosion which is currently encroaching on housing, paths and the main west coast rail line. 2. The disappearance of saltmarsh which helped protect the coast and combat greenhouse gasses. 3. Natural coast wild-life habitat. Siskin had no shortage of ideas to set up soft engineering barriers but found it difficult to convey how they would look in reality. The use of Augmented Reality techniques was able to provide new means of visualisation. During the progress of the project this greatly enhanced the way Siskin were able to present the visual impact on the areas of coast under surveillance. One of the main impacts in carrying out this project was bringing credibility to Siskin's designs. With the means to visualise them in 3D and to "walk around" the structures, brought them to life and was certainly regarded by Lancashire Council that the size of them were compatible with their coastline. Also, visualising aerial views of the coastal change over the years and subsequent environmental information based on the area being looked at has become effortless through the physical-digital setup. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Environment |
| Impact Types | Societal Economic |
| Title | Desktop augmented reality demonstrator (mkII) |
| Description | The desktop demonstrator allows for physical manipulation to emulate the topography in the location Siskin's coastal erosion system will be installed. An augmented reality interface allows users to view and manipulate system features to understand how it will be deployed and its impact on the landscape. |
| Type Of Technology | Physical Model/Kit |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Impact | This provides an enhanced mechanism to engage with clients and external stakeholders. It has been used by Siskin in their interactions with Lancaster Council in relation to planned work on the Morecambe Bay salt marshes. |
| Description | DMEM Industrial Group Projects Presentation Day (x2) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Student industrial team projects associated with Siskin and the DEP presented work at events in May and August to an audience of industry and academia. This raised awareness of the work undertaken and has led to further opportunities for student collaboration with Siskin. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Future Observatory Networking Event and Workshop (x2) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Attended networking event with other Design Exchange Partnership grant holders in May and November at the Future Observatory, London. Led to discussions with other academics undertaking similar research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Our Future Coast (Morecambe Bay Partnership) Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Sisking Coastal Installations Modelmaking/Deployment & AR Testing Session (Morecambe - September 2024). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Testing the Waters: Participatory Approaches for Resilience of Coastal Environments |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Workshop participation at RGS-IBG Annual International Conference (London - August 2024), sharing approaches to coasting protection. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |