Scott D. Miller, Alexandra K. Dubel, Thomas C. Adam, Dana T. Cook, Sally J. Holbrook, Russell J. Schmitt, Andrew Rassweiler
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引用次数: 3
Abstract
Surveying coastal systems to estimate distribution and abundance of fish and benthic organisms is labor-intensive, often resulting in spatially limited data that are difficult to scale up to an entire reef or island. We developed a method that leverages the automation of a machine learning platform, CoralNet, to efficiently and cost-effectively allow a single observer to simultaneously generate georeferenced data on abundances of fish and benthic taxa over large areas in shallow coastal environments. Briefly, a researcher conducts a fish survey while snorkeling on the surface and towing a float equipped with a handheld GPS and a downward-facing GoPro, passively taking ~ 10 photographs per meter of benthos. Photographs and surveys are later georeferenced and photographs are automatically annotated by CoralNet. We found that this method provides similar biomass and density values for common fishes as traditional scuba-based fish counts on fixed transects, with the advantage of covering a larger area. Our CoralNet validation determined that while photographs automatically annotated by CoralNet are less accurate than photographs annotated by humans at the level of a single image, the automated approach provides comparable or better estimations of the percent cover of the benthic substrates at the level of a minute of survey (~ 50 m2 of reef) due to the volume of photographs that can be automatically annotated, providing greater spatial coverage of the site. This method can be used in a variety of shallow systems and is particularly advantageous when spatially explicit data or surveys of large spatial extents are necessary.
期刊介绍:
Limnology and Oceanography: Methods (ISSN 1541-5856) is a companion to ASLO''s top-rated journal Limnology and Oceanography, and articles are held to the same high standards. In order to provide the most rapid publication consistent with high standards, Limnology and Oceanography: Methods appears in electronic format only, and the entire submission and review system is online. Articles are posted as soon as they are accepted and formatted for publication.
Limnology and Oceanography: Methods will consider manuscripts whose primary focus is methodological, and that deal with problems in the aquatic sciences. Manuscripts may present new measurement equipment, techniques for analyzing observations or samples, methods for understanding and interpreting information, analyses of metadata to examine the effectiveness of approaches, invited and contributed reviews and syntheses, and techniques for communicating and teaching in the aquatic sciences.