In July and August of 2019, a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) project was undertaken in Canada’s western Arctic along the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk (ITH) and Dempster highways. The objective of this project was to test long-range RPAS missions for photogrammetric data acquisition and processing of these two Arctic highway corridors with embankments, bridges and culverts at risk of changing environmental and climatic regimes. The imagery was used to derive an orthomosaic and digital elevation model that could be used to measure road infrastructure and landscape change over time (e.g., fish habitat). The RPAS missions were conducted with a Griffon SeaHunter and full-frame DSLR sensor and scoped to obtain <10 cm spatial resolution imagery along a combined 396 linear km. The final deliverables covered over 22,000 ha and 29,000 ha for the ITH and Dempster Highways, respectively, and represent one of the first non-military beyond-visual-line-of-sight RPAS data products of its kind and scale in Canada, and likely elsewhere. At the time of collection the data constituted the most current and detailed photo surveys of two of Canada’s most northern highways constructed over ice-rich permafrost terrain, and will provide a valuable baseline to study past and future landscape change.

In July and August of 2019, a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) project was undertaken in Canada’s western Arctic along the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk (ITH) and Dempster highways. The objective of this project was to test long-range RPAS missions for photogrammetric data acquisition and processing of these two Arctic highway corridors with embankments, bridges and culverts at risk of changing environmental and climatic regimes. The imagery was used to derive an orthomosaic and digital elevation model that could be used to measure road infrastructure and landscape change over time (e.g., fish habitat). The RPAS missions were conducted with a Griffon SeaHunter and full-frame DSLR sensor and scoped to obtain <10 cm spatial resolution imagery along a combined 396 linear km. The final deliverables covered over 22,000 ha and 29,000 ha for the ITH and Dempster Highways, respectively, and represent one of the first non-military beyond-visual-line-of-sight RPAS data products of its kind and scale in Canada, and likely elsewhere. At the time of collection the data constituted the most current and detailed photo surveys of two of Canada’s most northern highways constructed over ice-rich permafrost terrain, and will provide a valuable baseline to study past and future landscape change.

Appropriately responding to a marine pollution event, especially hydrocarbon spills, often requires detailed knowledge of local habitat and environmental features. Access to high resolution habitat profiles can support effective spill response plans, informing discussions on protection priorities or expediated remediation. However, marine habitat composition data for a given area is often lacking due to the high cost and effort of conducting such surveys across the vast shorelines of Canada. The purpose of this study was to develop methodologies for conducting rapid and affordable habitat compositions in the marine environment via drone aerial photography; an emerging technology for conducting high resolution surveys. We used the Musquash Marine Protected Area (MPA; Musquash, NB, Canada) as a model system as it contains a diverse range of habitat types, is a region of conservation concern in Atlantic Canada, and is in close proximity to oil and gas handling facilities and vessel traffic. The MPA consists of a tidal river that outflows into the Bay of Fundy. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) software, we subdivided the MPA into several transects (N =61) that were used to generate flight plans for a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS; DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise, DJI ). The RPAS was flown (6 m s-1) at an altitude of 100m (Above ground level) taking images with side (70%) and front (80%) overlap. Resulting images were then compiled as an orthomosaic map using Pix4Dmatic software. These data will be used to inform marine spill response planning in the region, to support marine planning and conservation, and Marine Protected Area (MPA) monitoring efforts as well as develop further methodological approaches for conducting RPAS-based habitat surveys in other coastal systems within Atlantic Canada. Cite this data as: Lawrence MJ, Coates PJ, Matheson K, Hamer A. Characterisation of intertidal habitat types in the Musquash Marine Protected Area using aerial drone photography. Published November 2025. Coastal Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. Andrews, N.B.

High-Resolution Digital Elevation Model (HRDEM) generated from LiDAR. This data collection includes a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and a Digital Surface Model (DSM). The HRDEM product is referenced to the Canadian Geodetic Vertical Datum of 2013 (CGVD2013). Source data for HRDEM datasets is acquired through multiple projects with different partners. Since data is being acquired by project, there is no integration or edgematching done between projects. The data in this collection have been reprojected from the source reference system to the Canada Atlas Lambert projection (EPSG:3979). **This third party metadata element follows the Spatio Temporal Asset Catalog (STAC) specification.**

High-Resolution Digital Elevation Model (HRDEM) generated from LiDAR. This data collection includes a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and a Digital Surface Model (DSM). The HRDEM product is referenced to the Canadian Geodetic Vertical Datum of 2013 (CGVD2013). Source data for HRDEM datasets is acquired through multiple projects with different partners. Since data is being acquired by project, there is no integration or edgematching done between projects. The data in this collection have been reprojected from the source reference system to the Canada Atlas Lambert projection (EPSG:3979). **This third party metadata element follows the Spatio Temporal Asset Catalog (STAC) specification.**

High-Resolution Digital Elevation Model (HRDEM) generated from LiDAR. This data collection includes a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and a Digital Surface Model (DSM). The HRDEM product is referenced to the Canadian Geodetic Vertical Datum of 2013 (CGVD2013). Source data for HRDEM datasets is acquired through multiple projects with different partners. Since data is being acquired by project, there is no integration or edgematching done between projects. The data in this collection have been reprojected from the source reference system to the Canada Atlas Lambert projection (EPSG:3979). **This third party metadata element follows the Spatio Temporal Asset Catalog (STAC) specification.**

High-Resolution Digital Elevation Model (HRDEM) generated from LiDAR. This data collection includes a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and a Digital Surface Model (DSM). The HRDEM product is referenced to the Canadian Geodetic Vertical Datum of 2013 (CGVD2013). Source data for HRDEM datasets is acquired through multiple projects with different partners. Since data is being acquired by project, there is no integration or edgematching done between projects. The data in this collection have been reprojected from the source reference system to the Canada Atlas Lambert projection (EPSG:3979). **This third party metadata element follows the Spatio Temporal Asset Catalog (STAC) specification.**

High-Resolution Digital Elevation Model (HRDEM) generated from LiDAR. This data collection includes a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and a Digital Surface Model (DSM). The HRDEM product is referenced to the Canadian Geodetic Vertical Datum of 2013 (CGVD2013). Source data for HRDEM datasets is acquired through multiple projects with different partners. Since data is being acquired by project, there is no integration or edgematching done between projects. The data in this collection have been reprojected from the source reference system to the Canada Atlas Lambert projection (EPSG:3979). **This third party metadata element follows the Spatio Temporal Asset Catalog (STAC) specification.**

High-Resolution Digital Elevation Model (HRDEM) generated from LiDAR. This data collection includes a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and a Digital Surface Model (DSM). The HRDEM product is referenced to the Canadian Geodetic Vertical Datum of 2013 (CGVD2013). Source data for HRDEM datasets is acquired through multiple projects with different partners. Since data is being acquired by project, there is no integration or edgematching done between projects. The data in this collection have been reprojected from the source reference system to the Canada Atlas Lambert projection (EPSG:3979). **This third party metadata element follows the Spatio Temporal Asset Catalog (STAC) specification.**

High-Resolution Digital Elevation Model (HRDEM) generated from LiDAR. This data collection includes a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and a Digital Surface Model (DSM). The HRDEM product is referenced to the Canadian Geodetic Vertical Datum of 2013 (CGVD2013). Source data for HRDEM datasets is acquired through multiple projects with different partners. Since data is being acquired by project, there is no integration or edgematching done between projects. The data in this collection have been reprojected from the source reference system to the Canada Atlas Lambert projection (EPSG:3979). **This third party metadata element follows the Spatio Temporal Asset Catalog (STAC) specification.**