Jiangsu, the third smallest but the fifth most populous province in China, has a long and expansive coastline. Data shows that more than 260 kilometers of coastline in Jiangsu are being eroded by powerful waves, causing coastal land loss, building damage, aquaculture disturbance, and degradation of salt marshes and wetlands. In this fight against natural forces, Dahua injected a brand new intelligent solution to help alleviate the situation.

Building an Ecological Guardian Powered by AI

In cooperation with the Jiangsu Marine Geological Survey Institute, Dahua deployed a shoreline erosion image monitoring system that integrates video with AI. Through intelligent technologies such as 3D geographic information, the system continuously monitors key elements such as elevation changes and tidal fluctuations along the coastline of Jiangsu, effectively using the power of technology to “watch the waves" while safeguarding the coastline at the same time.

Traditional coastal erosion monitoring mainly adopts technologies such as satellite remote sensing, drone aerial photography, and manual beach measurement. However, most of them can only monitor and take photos at fixed times and locations. Faced with the rapid changes in tides, it is difficult to timely detect the risk of coastal erosion. Dahua’s coastal erosion image monitoring system has launched an "intelligent defense battle" against coastal erosion by utilizing video images and AI.

Enabling 24/7 Coastline Image Monitoring

The vast expanse of the Jiangsu coastline is both a gift from nature and a huge challenge for monitoring and management. At the shoreline erosion image monitoring station, digital image monitoring devices constantly monitor and collect shoreline video image data. They have a broad field of view and can independently cover a coastline of up to 1 kilometer. The erosion and changes of the coastline caused by the rise and fall of tides can be intelligently recognized and viewed through video footages. Management personnel can remotely control the dynamics in real time, truly achieving the goal of "knowing the sea situation without leaving home".

Monitoring Beach Elevation Using AI Algorithms

Utilizing rich shoreline video images, the shoreline erosion image monitoring center uses intelligent algorithms to quickly analyze the coastline images and monitor the ups and downs of the beach surface under the waves. With technologies such as intelligent extraction of waterfront lines and virtual water level rulers, the system accurately records beach elevation data at different time periods and intelligently draws beach elevation heat maps. Based on the visual measurement data of beach elevation, the system further establishes an exclusive "view archive" of the coastline, analyzes the elevation changes of various points in different time periods, quickly assess the degree of erosion, predicts potential risks, and provides a scientific basis for protection measures.

Constructing Biological Habitat Protection with Multidimensional Monitoring

The coastline is not only a natural barrier separating land and sea, but also a habitat for countless marine creatures. Dahua’s monitoring system also offers aid for ecological protection, integrating technologies such as biodiversity databases, thermal infrared and voiceprint recognition to carry out more comprehensive and multidimensional monitoring and protection of coastal ecological environment. Whether it is seabirds foraging on the beach, invasive salt-water cordgrass, or floating seaweed on the sea surface, monitoring stations will accurately identify and record them to protect the diverse ecosystem in the coastline.

The "intelligent defense battle" along the Jiangsu coastline vividly demonstrates the powerful force of technology that empowers ecological protection. Dahua will continue to develop more intelligent solutions for ocean conservation in order to achieve the sustainable protection of our water resources and safeguard the vast and vibrant blue ocean.