The use of lidar technology is a key part of documenting the history, structure, and positioning of a community in its present location. This would consist of:

• Airborne lidar, mounted in airplanes, helicopters, and drones
• Ground-based mobile and terrestrial scanners
   

The airborne and ground-based mobile units have the capability of having multi-imaging cameras mounted in connection with the scanners. This means that, at the same time we are collecting point cloud data, we can collect coordinated images that can be used to help determine the type of vegetation and the health of that vegetation.

In addition, it is possible for airborne units to have scanners that can collect data through water, making it possible to gather data on the reefs and riverbeds that may be part of a community’s environment.

All the point clouds collected by scanners can be colorized, which means the data can be turned into color photographs and videos.

We would use this data to produce detailed drawings and plans, including:

• Site plans
• Topographic plans
• Floor plans
• Detailed drawings of buildings
• Layout drawings of the community
• Plans and details of features like fishing boats and agricultural equipment, to help in the assessment of the community’s economic and social base
   

All of the point cloud data will be geo-referenced, which will make it possible to help determine the nature of threats from the changing climate.

As part of the archaeological investigations, we will use ground-penetrating radar where applicable and available. This equipment would be used to locate buried utilities and other features that would need to be taken into consideration for relocating or restructuring the community.

If a community has to relocate, we would use the radar units to assess the number of burials in a community’s cemetery and the situation of these burials. If the community has to move—or even if it can stay in its current location—the cemetery might need to be relocated. The radar unit would be used to help determine the procedure for re-interring the burials.

Interviews are going to be one of the most important aspects of our data collection. We will need to interview and monitor people during day-to-day activities and community events. The interviews should be conducted with as many members of the community as possible, not just the elites.

The purpose of the interviews will be to help determine a baseline structure of the community. These interviews would serve at least two purposes:

1. Preserving the history and structure of the community
2. Helping to make suggestions on how the community will need to adjust to survive the coming changes in climate
    

It will be important to stress that the initial interviews and monitoring of the community in action will be done without asking the community members about climate issues.

Once we have our field and research data collected and compiled, and we are able to make some assessments on the nature of the threats from climate change, then we will talk to the community about what we perceive as their situation.

This discussion will involve the community making suggestions on what might have to change for the community to survive. Any options we propose will have to take into consideration the opinions and concerns of the community.

Our objective is to help the community continue as a sustainable, viable unit.