Visualizing seasonal habitats in river floodplains using timelapse photography and underwater video

Photos and video footage can provide useful insights into the seasonal dynamics of aquatic and riparian ecosystems and can be a source of effective visuals for outreach. Here, we introduce the use of timelapse photography and underwater video to document the changes in seasons, phenology, water levels, and the use of seasonal off-channel habitats by spring spawning fishes in an inland river delta in Norway (61°N). Hourly photos and continuous video footage from a 7-month period in 2024 were condensed into a 3-min film, showing the dynamic interplay between weather, water, and fish. Timelapse photography represents a potentially useful method for ecologists interested in data collection using optical methods, such as measuring the extent, timing, and availability of seasonal habitats for fishes, whereas underwater video can document the presence of fish species. In combination, underwater video and timelapse photography can link the visual representation of life above and below the surface and offer a comprehensive visual aid for communicators interacting with broad audiences.