6 January 2025 | A hands-on hydrographic survey was successfully carried out at Forest City with undergraduate and postgraduate students, joined by two scholars from the Cross-Campus International Research Exchange programme of Shandong University of Science and Technology (SDUST). This field campaign was designed to bridge theory and practice by immersing participants in real-world coastal data acquisition while directly supporting seagrass mapping initiatives.
The survey covered the full workflow of nearshore hydrographic operations, including survey planning, line design, and field execution. Students gained practical exposure to GNSS/GPS positioning systems, Single Beam Echo Sounder (SBES), Side Scan Sonar (SSS), water quality sensors, and current meters to collect bathymetric, seabed, and environmental data in shallow coastal waters. Emphasis was placed on proper data acquisition techniques and basic quality control to ensure the reliability of the collected datasets.
Beyond data collection, the exercise strengthened students’ competencies in hydrographic surveying, coastal environmental mapping, and collaborative fieldwork. The resulting datasets provide a valuable foundation for analysing seagrass distribution and seabed characteristics, while fostering technical skills, teamwork, and professional confidence in real survey conditions.
