Intertidal habitats in the arid Pilbara–Gascoyne region of northwest Australia are highly dynamic systems, where cyanobacterial algal mats and coastal samphire communities play a critical ecological role. These systems contribute to primary productivity, carbon cycling and oxygen production, while stabilising sediments and supporting broader food webs. Despite their importance, their spatial extent, condition and response to climate-driven stressors remain poorly resolved using traditional monitoring approaches.
We discuss emerging technologies to better understand the ecology, function and resilience of these habitats. High-resolution multispectral imagery acquired via UAVs enables site-wide assessment of productivity and condition through spectral indices, capturing fine-scale spatial variability that is not detectable through quadrat-based methods alone. These datasets are complemented by long-term satellite-derived indices, providing temporal context to interpret seasonal dynamics, marine heatwaves and episodic disturbance events.
Environmental DNA (eDNA) provides additional insight into microbial community composition, including key cyanobacterial taxa that underpin mat formation and ecosystem stability. Advances in image classification and AI-assisted workflows are also enabling automated habitat mapping and quantification of cover, improving efficiency, repeatability and scalability.
Together, these approaches are transforming how we monitor intertidal systems in NW Australia, providing new understanding of ecosystem function and supporting climate-resilient management of these critical coastal environments.