Vegetation-classifying Echosounder
Having first been presented during a preview of an entirely new technology at the Oceanology International (OI) exhibition held in London, UK, in March of this year, the BioSonics MX Aquatic Habitat Echosounder has now been released. It is a complete hardware-software solution for mapping and quantitative assessment of submerged plants, substrate classification and bathymetry. The MX utilises scientific single beam sonar housed in a rugged Pelican Case with an integrated DGPS and storage for the transducer, cable, and fittings. The MX comes complete with Visual Habitat MX software, a powerful new data-processing and visualisation tool developed specifically for the MX.
Visual Habitat MX software was developed in tandem with the MX sounder as a means to quickly and effectively present information in a clear and visually captivating display. Users can instantly generate colour-coded maps showing data parameters for each transect including bathymetry, plant coverage and substrate type. A toggle function connects each echogram data file with a map view of the transect plan. An integrated utility provides instant background mapping imagery over which habitat information can be superimposed. Data can be processed and maps can be generated within minutes of data collection, all with very little training. User-selectable colour gradients allow for easy identification of substrate types such as rock, mud, sand as well as plant density and height. The output is a visual representation of results that can be easily interpreted and quickly communicated.
Since the presentation, systems have been shipped to Australia, Brazil, Spain, Germany, China and the UK, and new inquiries are coming in daily, according to director of Sales and Marketing Eric Munday.
