CICEET Progress Report for the period 3/15/04 through 9/15/04

Project Title: DATAVIEW: A Real-Time Spatially-Explicit Visualization Interface and Monitoring System for Estuarine and Coastal Water Quality Data
Principal Investigator(s): Mark Trice
Additional Investigator(s): Bruce Michael, Walter Boynton
Project Start Date: 9/15/03

Project Objectives for This Reporting Period
Objectives
As outlined in our proposal and first progress report:

1. Continued DATAFLOW and continuous monitoring of Jug Bay and Otter Point Creek NERRS sites
2. Initial testing of new DATAFLOW unit with prototype DATAVIEW system and possible continued use with existing monitoring program during summer 2004 depending on prototype performance.
3. Feedback to software vendor from initial testing period

Tasks to meet objectives

1. Conduct continuous monitoring at Jug Bay, Patuxent River and Otter Point Creek, Bush River at 15-minute intervals and conduct monthly Water Quality Mapping cruises on these two tributaries from April ­ October, 2004.
2. Compile user survey results for prioritization of DATAVIEW features.
3. Maintain contact with software vendors and contractor for development of DATAVIEW system.

Progress on Tasks
1. Continuous monitoring data and water quality mapping data were collected March ­ September, 2004 in proposed NERRS sites and results are or will shortly be available via www.eyesonthebay.net. Two newly designed Water Quality Mapping (DATAFLOW) systems designed for the DATAVIEW interface, with special processing (ruggedized CPU), viewing (marine grade monitor), interaction capabilities (waterproof keyboards and mouse) and other features (waterproof design and high speed USB connections) were deployed successfully throughout 2004 by Maryland DNR and its contractor St. Mary’s College of Maryland. The units’ design provides an excellent platform and required specifications for the DATAVIEW interface. A third new unit is planned to be built for the 2005 season and will be the fifth DATAFLOW unit in operation in Maryland.

2. A DATAVIEW survey was sent out to a nationwide group of fifty-four DATAFLOW users, water quality experts, and estuarine/coastal managers querying them on proposed DATAVIEW features, possible uses for the system, and additional comments. The purpose of the survey was to rank the importance of many proposed features and collect information about additional uses of DATAVIEW/DATAFLOW in the scientific community. There were eight total respondents and the survey is still available at http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/sim/survey.cfm for further submissions. An edited version of the survey results can be viewed in Table 1. In general, respondents favored features that helped in data and cruise track visualization versus analytical capabilities and advanced features such as data telemetry. Users seemed to favor a quick data refresh rate of around 10 seconds.

3. A partially operational version of DATAVIEW is available, but a fully functioning prototype is not yet finished due to issues beyond DNR’s control. It was important for us to develop DATAVIEW based on the most current ESRI GIS platform. The latest version, ArcGIS 9.0, was to be released in early 2004 and was touted in summer 2003. Actual release was in the July/August 2004 timeframe, at which time Maryland DNR obtained an evaluation copy of the software. ArcGIS 9.0 includes a new integrated feature that allows for direct reception of GPS data to ArcMap. This feature has been tested successfully in the laboratory with the DATAFLOW unit, allowing real-time display of positional data. Positional data are displayed as points or lines, can be symbolized to indicate speed and bearing, and can be stored to a log file for future reference. Data can be updated as rapidly as each second.

Using ArcMap and GPS in tandem provides many advantages versus traditional GPS displays. Data can be updated much more rapidly with the added power of a fully functional CPU. Custom data layers such as intricate cruise tracks, basemaps, boundary layers, and living resources parameters can be easily displayed in conjunction with real-time positional data. Using these technologies in tandem also leads the way for real-time map display of water quality data.

Maryland DNR plans to conduct multiple testing methods of the real-time GPS mapping feature. In August 2004, DNR participated in a remote sensing exercise on the Patuxent River with NOAA Coastal Services Center, providing groundtruthing data for aerial observations of chlorophyll, water temperature and clarity. Due to cloud cover, satellite observations could not be collected and have been rescheduled for either September 20 or October 6. Using DATAVIEW, we will attempt to replicate portions of the exact cruise track from the August deployment (See Figure 1). We will also be able to ascertain whether the application can be run in tandem with our current system for collecting and storing the concurrent YSI, GPS and depth data. We also will use the system during either our submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) planting (See Figure 2) or more likely with our eelgrass seed collection (See Figure 3) in Spring 2005. In 2004, DNR used an automated eelgrass seed collection boat to collect nearly 20 million seeds and plans to expand that collection in 2005 for large-scale SAV restoration activities. DATAVIEW will be used to map out the distribution of eelgrass beds in the collection zones. These zones will be saved as map layers, and will be displayed to the harvesting boat operator with information regarding current and past harvesting tracks to improve efficiency and speed of seed collection.

In addition to the late release of ArcGIS 9.0, other software distribution difficulties were encountered. The ArcIMS Tracking Server, a key component for the display geographically referenced real-time data from 3rd party devices (e.g. YSI water quality monitors), is not yet available. This software component was advertised by ESRI during the proposal process in early 2003, with technical documents appearing on their website in May 2003 (www.esri.com) and a promised release within six months. Contact with ESRI during the last several weeks indicates that the ArcIMS Tracking Server release date is not solidified but will be soon and the price of the software is undetermined. Despite these delays we are confident we can accomplish the development of DATAVIEW by use of the ArcIMS Tracking Server or through other means. The end of our Water Quality Mapping field season in October will allow full access to the DATAFLOW systems for software testing.

Accomplishments
Successfully interfaced the DATAFLOW unit with ArcGIS 9.0 to provide real-time map display of positional data. This advance will allow the concurrent display of position and custom map layers to enable the replication of intricate cruise tracks, in situ mapping of SAV boundaries, and improve efficiency of SAV seed distribution and harvesting. See “Progress on Tasks” for more information.

Difficulties
Off-the-shelf software release delays of key ESRI GIS components slowed the development of interfaces for the acquisition of third party data (YSI water quality) into GIS platforms. See “Progress on Tasks” for more information.

Project Objectives for Next Reporting Period

Objectives
1. Incorporate YSI data into DATAVIEW application. Begin work on advanced features.
2. Streamline user interface for better operation in marine environment.
3. Begin documenting DATAVIEW operation in a user’s guide.
4. Test operation of real-time GPS mapping capabilities in the field.

Tasks to Meet Objectives
1. Acquire pending release of ArcIMS Tracking Server for incorporation of third party data into DATAVIEW or pursue alternative methods to achieve this objective with the software contractor.
2. Based on DNR and DNR data collection contractor input, refine and simplify the DATAVIEW user interface so it can be operated in the field by staff not necessarily familiar with GIS software.
3. Document the software development as well as operation of the software.
4. Test cruise track reproducibility during an upcoming Patuxent River Water Quality Mapping cruise.

Work Plan for Next Reporting Period
During the next several weeks, the first phase of DATAVIEW testing will begin. We will load an existing cruise track of approximately 10,000 data points from the Patuxent River into the DATAVIEW map interface and attempt to reproduce sections of it using the overlaid real-time GPS data. Other layers such as bathymetry and basemaps will also be used to provide reference. Testing with eelgrass seed harvesting will occur after this coming reporting period in May 2005.

Close contact will be maintained with ESRI representatives to determine their progress (with their partner Northup Grumann) and release of the ArcIMS Tracking Server. Anticipated release will be within 2 months, but if progress is delayed, we may be forced to explore alternative programming options with the Towson University Center for GIS. Considering that the YSI data incorporation step is achieved successfully, we will begin tailoring the user interface based on user suggestions. Programming will also begin on features such as the alert system and ease of producing interpolated layers. During the process, coding and software use will be documented for creation of a user guide.

Anticipated Success in Meeting Project Objectives
We fully expect to meet project objectives but may be delayed due to reliance on the release of off-the-shelf software.

Overall Project Timeline Update
It was anticipated that we would have a working prototype developed at this point. Due to delayed funding (December 2003), development of new advanced DATAFLOW systems and off-the-shelf software delays, development has been slowed. Real-time GPS data has been incorporated into the ArcGIS/DATAVIEW system and will be field tested shortly. Given the water quality mapping field season ends in October, complete access to the DATAFLOW systems will be available from October through March for full software development.

Preliminary Data
For DATAFLOW user survey results, see Table 1.

Dissemination
Publications:
Water quality mapping and continuous monitoring data are made available through the Eyes on the Bay website (http://www.eyesonthebay.net)

Contact with End Users:
Fifty-four users were contacted to complete a survey on features and capabilities of the DATAVIEW system. See: http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/sim/survey.cfm

Expenditures
Due to software release delays, expenditures were less than anticipated. Expenditures to date include a 0.3 FTE of a Research Statistician V from July 1, 2004 to September 15, 2004. Software expenditures are anticipated to occur soon.