Stream and Lake Monitoring Protocol
SOP 06 – Documenting Aquatic Resources Using Digital Photography, v. 1.0, Page 1 of 5
Stream and Lake Limnology Monitoring Protocol
Arctic Network (ARCN), Alaska
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) # 06
Documenting a Stream Reach or Lake Using Digital Photography
Version 1.0 (November 2007)
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This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) explains the methods for photo-documentation
of streams and lakes. There is a set of minimum requirements for the photo-documentation for
each stream or lake. However, each stream and lake is different, and creativity is encouraged in
crew members (especially the Lead Technician for this SOP) in deciding the best ways to add to
these minimum requirements. Photo-documentation functions to provide the following:
1. A graphical depiction of aspects of the vegetation mosaic and the landscape context of
each plot.
2. Ancillary/ground-truth data for refining landscape-relevant spatial data. This augments
and improves the quality of watershed-level landscape analyses linking freshwater
physical, chemical and biotic properties with contributing landscape characteristics and
parameters.
3. A graphical depiction of any nearby features that might prove significant in
understanding changes that potentially could occur within a plot, such as ecotones,
potential sources of disturbance, and conspicuous landmarks.
4. After the first iteration of sampling, the images are an invaluable tool for accurately
setting- up transects and relocating sample points, thereby increasing the accuracy and
overall repeatability of our measurements.
5. Once out of the field, GPS-tied plot or quadrat photographs provide a way to ‘revisit’ a
plot if questions arise during data entry or analysis – that is, if something seems amiss or
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unusual with some aspect of the data, the photographs provide the ability to assess
whether this is a mistake, or that the plot truly was an “outlier” of some sort.
6. A method to actually analyze and graphically display apparent changes in the physical or
biotic properties of a plot – sometimes a picture will capture changes that have occurred
when other sampling measurements do not capture the change.
In general, one technician will be assigned the lead role for photo-documentation. Often other
technicians will shoot some of the required photos, but the lead technician for this role is
responsible for ensuring all required photos for the plot are taken, and any good photo
opportunities to illustrate the overall sample layout or individual plots are utilized. As of this
version (1.0), the model of the digital camera is Olympus D595 Zoom Digital, 5.0 megapixel
resolution. Future models will be recorded in the revision log.
Procedures:
I. Responsibilities of the lead technician
1. Each observer must become proficient in the operation and features of the digital cameras
prior to going into the field but a lead technician will be identified during training (SOP 9:
Training Personnel) to be responsible for oversight of the photo-documentation procedures.
2. In particular, the lead technician will be skilled at the following functions of the camera:
image resolution, image file size, zoom or wide-angle capabilities, the ‘stitch’ feature that
allows multi-image panoramic photos to be stored and stitched together, and the ‘macro’
feature. The lead technician also makes sure that the photo-log is completely and correctly
filled out.
3. The lead technician ensures the proper gear is assembled and packed for sampling trips (see
equipment list below). He or she also ensures that a sufficient number of charged batteries
and storage cards are brought into the field each day: spare batteries in camp are of little
use.
4. The lead technician ensures that the equipment is well-cared for, and that the camera is
stored in dry conditions during inclement weather.
5. The lead technician must be familiar with the methods, hardware and software required to
download the images following a trip, and is responsible for recharging the batteries such
that they will be ready for use during the subsequent field excursion (see SOP 22: Field
Trip Demobilization).
6. The lead technician will make recommendations at the end of the field season about lessons
learned and improvements to this procedure.
II. Shooting Photos
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1. Take photos during the entire sampling process to document the entire sampling event.
2. Record every photo that is taken in the photo log (see below). The camera automatically
assigns a number to each image. Record each number in the sequence for a particular
stream or lake in the data sheet. If you delete an image, the camera will not re-assign that
number to another image. Therefore, if you delete a photo for any reason, record it as a
deleted image next to the associated number, so that all numbers in the sequence are
accounted for.
3. Use a medium resolution format for photos. The typical file size of photos ranges between
400 KB – 1 MB. Rarely will you need to store images in the highest resolution format for
routine photo-documentation. Because field excursions typically last for 10-days, do not
exceed the storage capacity for images or some plots will go un-documented, which is not
acceptable.
4. For streams, take at least one downward vertical view of the substrate and include an object
for scale. Additionally, a minimum of four oblique photos including true right bank, true
left bank, upstream, and downstream should be taken to document riparian and watershed
characteristics.
5. Photograph all vegetation communities that occur along the riparian transect (SOP 18:
Vegetation Sampling).
6. Photograph the site benchmark monument(s) from above and obliquely. Frame the pictures
so that they will be useful in aiding future technicians to find the monument during
subsequent sampling iterations, especially if it is located in dense brush. 2 photos per lake.
7. If possible, take two to four photos at some distance from the vegetation transect showing
the landscape context and vegetation mosaic in the vicinity of the transect. The distance
and direction of these photographs will obviously be dependent upon what aspect gives the
best overall picture of the area. These photos are not required but are highly recommended
if the opportunity is available.
8. Opportunistically shoot photos that illustrate the stream or lake and interesting plant
species. Images that illustrate the stream or lake in a large panoramic vista are useful; also
opposite-facing slopes close to, or above the site area are often excellent vantage points to
get useful images of the site. Use the ‘stitch’ function of the camera to take landscape
images at vantage points. These images illustrate the overall stream and lake area and
place the sampling location data into context.
9. Always record GPS locations (SOP05), and manually record GPS coordinates in the log
book as backup (in the event of GPS equipment loss/failure).
10. For landscape-relevant photography, use a system of photos organized by photo azimuth.
Begin each azimuth photo transect by recording the bearing (azimuth) of an identifiable
feature in the distance using a sighting compass that has been set for local declination (with
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the declination adjusted for the current year). Facing that distant feature, shoot a series of
photographs beginning with a close-up of the ground where you are standing, and
progressively raise the camera angle to capture the broader landscape. Finish by zooming
in on more distant parts of the landscape, and including the distant feature which was used
to define the azimuth. Always record the beginning and end frame numbers along with the
azimuth in the log book. Continue to add azimuth photo transects until all major landscape
types which surround the location are represented. Whenever possible, include frames that
show identifiable features both in the foreground and in the distance. This can be critical
for future repeat-photography initiatives that aim to: A) recapture photographic data from
precisely the same location, and B) identify landscape change in reference to visible
features on the landscape. The end product is a series of photographs for each sample
location which are organized by azimuth and tied to an accurate GPS location. In this way
the photographs may be used in GIS and remote sensing analyses, linking features visible
in satellite imagery, aerial photography and vector data layers with ground-based photos of
the same features. As such, these data are invaluable for validation, feature interpretation,
and improved spatial analysis.
11. If you access the stream or lake via floatplane or helicopter be sure to take at minimum two
air photographs that capture the entire lake. Try to include both high-angle and low-angle
oblique shots (low-angle = shots that include the horizon, high-angle = shots that do not
include the horizon). A complement of both types of oblique shots is useful for deriving
detail and landscape location and context. This may take some time but unless there is
safety issues that require an immediate departure be sure to collect these photos as they can
be extremely useful.
12. If it is raining, do not risk getting the camera wet to take photos. Take advantage of any
break in the rain to get images of the site. Bring silicone packets into the field to store
inside the camera case during damp or wet conditions.
III. The Photo Log Book
1. Use a small rite-in-the-rain notebook for the photo log. Label the cover with the
following information: The Park Unit the field work is taking place in, Shallow Lake
Limnology Monitoring Photo Log number __, the year, and names of the crew members.
Each subsequent photo log in the sequence should be numbered, and the dates for the
photos contained within need to be printed on the front cover.
2. For each image, record a separate entry in the log containing the following information:
a. image number (unique ID will be assigned by the camera)
b. date (month, day and 4-digit year)
c. lake ID (name)
d. transect ID
e. azimuth of photo: what direction are you facing when photo was taken
(NE,N,NW,W at minimum, compass-measured preferably)
f. the subject of the photograph
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g. photographers location (GPS-tied, always)
IV. Equipment List
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Olympus D595 Zoom Digital Camera
Waterproof plastic case
Rechargeable Battery packs – 3 extras per crew (1 in camera)
Storage modules – Compact Flash storage medium - minimum of (3) 256 MB modules,
plus additional available ones
Soft Case for Camera
All-weather paper log books for photo log
Cases as appropriate for storing memory cards, batteries and camera accessories
Silica desiccant to store with the camera during wet weather.
WAAS-capable GPS unit (SOP05)
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November, 2007