Drone-Based Monitoring to Remotely Assess a Beach Nourishment Program on Lord Howe Island

Beach nourishment is a soft engineering technique that used to combat coastal erosion. To assess the efficacy of beach program on northwest coast Lord Howe Island, remotely coordinated drone-based monitoring was undertaken at Lagoon Beach. Specifically, hypotheses were tested could increase dune height and width where sand translocated but would not have any long-term impacts other parts beach. During program, from north end south Beach, it deposited over 2800 m2. monitored using time series 3D orthomosaics (2019–2021) based orthorectified drone imagery. The data then analysed robust before-after-control-impact (BACI) experimental design. Initially, fully automated mapping permanent ground control points set up. After this, local pilot facilitated for subsequent times sampling transferred mainland researchers. As well as being more cost-effective, this approach allowed collection continue during Island closures due COVID-19 pandemic. translocation, had lower with vegetation expansive gentler slope than prior arrangement. Overall, demonstrated highlighted capacity drones deliver cost-effective in locations difficult researchers access.