Developing Climate-Food-Nature Investments in the Pacific – Marine and terrestrial surveys for physical and biological aspects of the environment for five coastal communities in Fiji

Objectives, Activities and Results:

• Compile all available technical data and conduct bathymetric and topographic field surveys at five coastal community sites in Fiji: Veivatuloa, Namarai, Nadogoloa, Kanakana, and Vanuavou. 
• Design the field survey approach, including schedule, survey flight plans, dive site plans, bathymetry mapping, equipment requirements, and other technical specifications. 
• Assess the distribution and types of marine habitats (e.g., coral reefs, seagrass beds, rock/rubble areas) using in-water video transects, spot surveys, drop camera assessments, and benthic sediment sampling. 
• Set up the bathymetric survey system, follow predefined transects using a 12” Lowrance Carbon screen, and deploy an Aquadopp wave, current, and water level meter in shallow offshore areas. 
• Apply tidal and offset corrections to the bathymetric data, digitize the results, and process Aquadopp sensor data. 
• Conduct a beach topographic survey using a MAVIC drone with a predetermined profile, 8–12 ground control points (GCPs), and RTK base station/rover units. 
• Perform kinematic processing of RTK GPS files using Emlid Studio, geotag drone imagery with GCP Editor Pro, process data in WEB ODM, and convert results to mean sea level (MSL). 
• Prepare a final digital terrain model (DTM) based on processed topographic and bathymetric datasets.