Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG)

Nova Scotia Community College, Middleton, Nova Scotia
What the facility does

Geomatic applications of remote sensing (lidar) and meteorological monitoring technologies

Areas of expertise

Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Applied Geomatic Research Group (AGRG) researchers use sophisticated remote-sensing equipment, including both airborne topo-bathymetric and ground-based terrestrial lidar devices, to investigate research questions in a range of sectors. Processing data from aerial and satellite imagery, they address coastal processes. In addition to producing seamless land-sea elevation models, they also create benthic habitat maps.

Remote sensing activities are supported by a suite of in-situ sensors including real-time turbidity buoys, Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) current meters, light and pressure sensors and coastal weather stations. Hydrodynamic models of the coastal zone are used for aquaculture site selection and contaminant spill tracking. AGRG also captures indoor 3D data and can visualize these datasets in virtual reality environments. Geomatic technologies help mitigate risks associated with extreme weather conditions, such as floods and hurricanes. Improved mapping of coastal zones assist commercial fishery and aquaculture operations, and are used to investigate preferred locations for solar, wind and tidal equipment. These are just a few examples of the types of geomatics applications that can be adopted to improve viability and ensure sustainability.

Research services

Seamless land-sea elevation acquisition and hydrodynamic modelling, flood-risk modelling of coastal and river environments, image interpretation and analysis, indoor 3D mapping, drone multispectral and thermal imaging, geographic information system modelling, web mapping applications.

Sectors of application
  • Environmental technologies and related services
  • Fisheries and aquaculture
  • Forestry and forest-based industries
  • Ocean industries
  • Transportation
Equipment Function
Ground-based and topo-bathymetric lidar (Leica Chiroptera II)

Terrain and seabed mapping

Vertical surface and indoor mapping

Optech Polaris terrestrial lidar Tripod mounted lidar and camera
Sentinal V Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Water elevation and current velocities
3D system Project 660 Colour 3D printer
MDL Dynascan S250 Mobile mapping lidar
Teledyne Reson T-20 Multibeam echosounder
BioSonics MX Echosounder for marine habitat mapping
Real-time turbidity buoys Measure water clarity
24 ft Bayliner, 16 ft Boston Whaler Boats to ground truth and deploy instruments
DJI drones: matrice 100, Inspire Pro, Mavic, spark, etc. Drones equipped with RGB, multispectral and thermal cameras
Matterport structure from light sensor In-door camera and 3D point cloud capture
Dot Product 3D capture In-door 3D capture
Hololens, HTC ViveX2, Oculus RifX2 Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality systems
Project 660 Colour 3D printer Colour 3D printer
  • Acadian Seaplants Limited
  • Leading Edge Geomatics
  • GeoNet Technologies Inc.
  • Nova Scotia Power
  • Scotia Weather Services
  • Golder Associates
  • Minas Basin Pulp Paper
  • Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy
  • Halifax Regional Municipality
  • Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
  • Innovacorp
  • Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development and Tourism
  • Nova Scotia Natural Resources
  • Nova Scotia Environment
  • Parks Canada
  • Natural Resources Canada
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Dalhousie University
  • Acadia University
  • Stantec
  • Smarter Spaces
  • Canadian Seabed Research Geotech
  • Stevens Designs
  • Public Works and Government Services Canada
  • Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Title URL
Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG) appears on Land and Sea: Science of the Sea https://watch.cbc.ca/media/land-and-sea-network/season-17/episode-20/38e815a-00e3130a255
Research scientist’s maps show how sea level rise will affect Nova Scotia communities https://www.annapoliscountyspectator.ca/news/local/research-scientists-maps-show-how-sea-level-rise…
Could climate change create Canada’s next island province? http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2017/11/16/could-climate-change-create-canadas-next-island-province/
Research may reveal mysteries of Nova Scotia seaweed https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/rockweed-research-nscc-acadian-seaplants-1.4282446
How mapping coastal areas could prepare for an oil spill https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nscc-researchers-map-south-shore-coastline-oil-spill-cle…
Scientists warn about outdated flood-risk maps http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2013/07/08/nb-flood-risk-maps-1151.html
How a new tool can predict coastal flooding in Nova Scotia down to the metre https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/flood-map-technology-nscc-coastal-lidar-1.2838198
Middleton geomatics researchers focus on Canadian coastline https://www.annapoliscountyspectator.ca/news/local/middleton-geomatics-researchers-focus-on-canadian-coastline-554/
Future floods pose risk for Truro http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2012/09/13/ns-future-flood-risks-truro.html