{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,29]],"date-time":"2026-09-29T03:57:04Z","timestamp":1790654224236,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":35,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"10","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]],"date-time":"2026-09-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1790553600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]],"date-time":"2026-09-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1790553600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/doi.wiley.com\/10.1002\/tdm_license_1.1"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Ecology and Evolution"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,10]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>ABSTRACT<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>Mangroves are ecologically vital ecosystems that present unique logistical challenges for field\u2010based environmental education and research due to seasonal tidal fluctuations, difficult muddy terrain, and visitor safety considerations. Balancing sustainable conservation with accessible site exploration requires innovative approaches. To address these constraints, we developed a pilot multimodal platform to demonstrate the technical feasibility of integrating virtual reality (VR) and 3D photogrammetry as core methodological components for environmental representation. This interactive platform constructs virtual walking trails across two ecologically significant mangrove stands in Hong Kong, one within a Ramsar Site and another within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). These sites serve as methodological testbeds to showcase how immersive digital environments can realistically represent complex, restricted terrains without geographical or temporal limitations. The virtual trails incorporate high\u2010resolution 3D models of representative mangrove flora and fauna (e.g., plants, snails and crabs), allowing users to examine intricate morphological details. Supplementary high\u2010resolution visual media of species and habitats are embedded to construct a comprehensive multimodal environment. As a methodological case study, this work establishes the practical workflow for combining VR and 3D photogrammetry. The resulting pilot platform now awaits future empirical testing to evaluate its potential efficacy and value for environmental education in sensitive ecosystems.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1002\/ece3.74410","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,29]],"date-time":"2026-09-29T03:21:22Z","timestamp":1790652082000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["A Methodological Case Study for Integrating Virtual Reality and\n                    <scp>3D<\/scp>\n                    Photogrammetry: A Pilot Digital Platform for Exploring Mangrove Environments"],"prefix":"10.1002","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-5385-8429","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Terence Pun Tung","family":"Ng","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region  Hong Kong Hong Kong Special Administration Region China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kenny Zhi Hao","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shiu\u2010Ying Hu Herbarium, School of Life Sciences The Chinese University of Hong Kong  Hong Kong Hong Kong Special Administration Region China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Cheryl Wood Yee","family":"Shum","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shiu\u2010Ying Hu Herbarium, School of Life Sciences The Chinese University of Hong Kong  Hong Kong Hong Kong Special Administration Region China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kian Ka Ki","family":"Tam","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region  Hong Kong Hong Kong Special Administration Region China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yiu Man","family":"Chan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shiu\u2010Ying Hu Herbarium, School of Life Sciences The Chinese University of Hong Kong  Hong Kong Hong Kong Special Administration Region China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Flora Siu Yan","family":"Mok","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region  Hong Kong Hong Kong Special Administration Region China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3443-1808","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"David Tai Wai","family":"Lau","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shiu\u2010Ying Hu Herbarium, School of Life Sciences The Chinese University of Hong Kong  Hong Kong Hong Kong Special Administration Region China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]]},"reference":[{"issue":"5","key":"e_1_2_12_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1783","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.jchemed.1c00173","article-title":"Developing a Simple and Cost\u2010Effective Markerless Augmented Reality Tool for Chemistry Education","volume":"98","author":"Abdinejad M.","year":"2021","journal-title":"Journal of Chemical Education"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_3_1","unstructured":"AFCD.2026a.\u201cMai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site.\u201dhttps:\/\/www.afcd.gov.hk\/english\/conservation\/con_wet\/con_wet_look\/con_wet_look.html."},{"key":"e_1_2_12_4_1","unstructured":"AFCD.2026b.\u201cTing Kok Coastal Conservation Plan (Ting Kok+).\u201dhttps:\/\/www.afcd.gov.hk\/english\/conservation\/con_mar\/TKPlus\/TKPlus.html."},{"issue":"3","key":"e_1_2_12_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"233","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jnc.2006.05.009","article-title":"Ecotourism and Ecological Restoration","volume":"14","author":"Blangy S.","year":"2006","journal-title":"Journal for Nature Conservation"},{"issue":"2","key":"e_1_2_12_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"457","DOI":"10.21692\/haps.2019.016","article-title":"Method for Production of 3D Interactive Models Using Photogrammetry for Use in Human Anatomy Education","volume":"23","author":"Burk Z. 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Y.","year":"2017","journal-title":"International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"173","DOI":"10.1007\/s10643-020-01136-3","article-title":"Pre\u2010Service Teachers Perspectives of Google Expedition","volume":"50","author":"Cardullo V.","year":"2021","journal-title":"Early Childhood Education Journal"},{"issue":"363","key":"e_1_2_12_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1016\/j.morpho.2024.100792","article-title":"Use of Photogrammetry\u2010Based Digital Models in Anatomy Education: An Overview","volume":"108","author":"Chytas D.","year":"2024","journal-title":"Morphologie"},{"issue":"4","key":"e_1_2_12_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph20042867","article-title":"The Shifting Public Health Landscape and Virtual Learning Environment: The Effectiveness of Practice\u2010Based Teaching Delivered in\u2010Person, Virtual, and Hybrid","volume":"20","author":"Cunnington S.","year":"2023","journal-title":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"5863","DOI":"10.1038\/s41467-023-41333-3","article-title":"Priority Areas to Protect Mangroves and Maximise Ecosystem Services","volume":"14","author":"Dabal\u00e0 A.","year":"2023","journal-title":"Nature Communications"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"638","DOI":"10.4236\/oje.2022.1210037","article-title":"Ecotourism Development and Biodiversity Conservation in Sri Lanka: Objectives, Conflicts and Resolutions","volume":"12","author":"De Zoysa M.","year":"2022","journal-title":"Open Journal of Ecology"},{"issue":"26","key":"e_1_2_12_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"92","DOI":"10.29036\/jots.v14i26.470","article-title":"Can Virtual Reality Become an Instrument in Favor of Territory Economy and Sustainability?","volume":"14","author":"Folgado\u2010Fern\u00e1ndez J. 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