Lab-collected Datasets

Reference Elevation Dataset for Singapore's Intertidal Habitats (RTK-GPS Survey)

Understanding the elevation of intertidal habitats is fundamental to coastal ecological research, restoration planning, and environmental monitoring. Elevation influences tidal inundation frequency, hydroperiod, sediment characteristics, vegetation zonation, and the distribution of intertidal organisms. Accurate elevation data are therefore required for studies involving mangroves, seagrasses, rocky shores, mudflats, and other coastal ecosystems.

To facilitate future ecological and coastal engineering studies, the Experimental Marine Ecology Laboratory (EMEL), National University of Singapore, established a collection of high-accuracy elevation reference points across multiple intertidal sites around mainland Singapore and offshore islands. Elevation measurements were obtained using Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) surveying equipment, providing centimetre-level positional accuracy under suitable field conditions.

The dataset is intended to serve as a shared reference resource for researchers, government agencies, and industry partners. Users may use nearby reference points to determine the elevation of ecological sampling locations or to support habitat mapping, restoration projects, environmental impact assessments, and long-term monitoring programmes.

S Song, YZ Yap, WJ Matthijs, D Taira, NWJ Mak, PA Todd