In Situ Ichthyoplankton Imaging System (ISIIS) - Development and Testing of Operational System

在过去十年中，使用原位视频的新方法表明，新的和负担得起的技术将使生物学家能够快速评估浮游动物的垂直和水平分布和丰度。这些技术将加快样本收集和分析之间的过程。数字成像系统将允许科学家将数字记录到计算机上，计算机可以通过图像识别软件实时处理数据。此外，原位成像将实现非常高分辨率的采样，并因此绘制动物园动物的水平和垂直分布图，以及提供它们的自然行为的原位实现。到目前为止，成像系统在被采样的水的体积方面受到限制，从而限制了它们的效用，以量化高度丰富的小型浮游动物，如桡足类，但不是相对罕见的，而是较大的鱼类和其他中型浮游动物。随着线扫描数字成像和数据存储技术的进步，可以组装高分辨率成像系统，用于小型拖曳式起伏车辆。与阴影照明技术相结合，可以以非常高的分辨率对相对较大体积的水进行成像。在NSF SGER的资助下，PI建造了一个原型相机系统和牵引车。该组合系统成功地进行了现场测试，不仅证明了相机系统的工作原理，而且还证明了即使在佛罗里达海峡的佛罗里达海流的相对分散的核心沃茨中，它也能够量化幼鱼。随着这个原型的完成，他们的目标是建立一个具有扩展成像和环境传感能力的操作系统，并提供通过科学审查所需的现场测试。此外，随着系统的运行，必须解决自动图像分析的需求。最后，实地采样能力和图像分析算法都需要仔细测试，以定量评估ISIIS的准确性。 更广泛的影响：小组认为，这项技术为在渔业生物学和海洋学之间建立更牢固的桥梁提供了一个非常宝贵的工具，并将提供一个可以克服传统方法限制的采样密度。这项工作的更广泛影响还包括培训两名研究生，一名是海洋学研究生，另一名是工程或计算机技术研究生。该仪器可以收集的图像可以用于教学。

In the last decade new approaches using in situ video have demonstrated that new and affordable technology would allow biologists to quickly assess zooplankton vertical and horizontal distributions and abundance. These techniques would speed up the process between sample collection and analysis. A digital imaging system would allow scientists to record digitally onto a computer which could process the data in real-time via image-recognition software. Moreover, in situ imaging would enable very high resolution sampling, and, therefore, mapping of the horizontal and vertical distribution of zooplankters as well as provide in situ realizations of their natural behaviors. To date imaging systems have been limited in the volume of water being sampled, thereby restricting their utility to quantifying highly abundant, small zooplankton like copepods, but not relatively rarer, but larger ichthyo- and other meso-zooplankton. With the advances in line-scan digital imaging and data storage technologies, a high-resolution imaging system can be assembled for use on small towed, undulating vehicles. Combined with shadow illumination techniques, relatively large volumes of water can be imaged at very high resolution. With NSF SGER funding, the PIs built a prototype camera system and towed vehicle. This combined system was successfully field tested, demonstrating not only that the camera system works, but also that it is capable of quantifying larval fish even in the relatively depauperate core waters of the Florida Current in the Straits of Florida. With this prototype completed, their goal is to build an operational system with expanded imaging and environmental sensing capabilities and to provide the field-testing required to pass scientific scrutiny. Further, as the system becomes operational, the need for automated image analysis must be addressed. Finally, both the field sampling capabilities and the image analysis algorithms will need to be carefully tested to quantitatively assess the accuracy of ISIIS. Broader Impacts:The panel felt that this technology offered an exceptionally valuable tool for building a stronger bridge between fishery biology and oceanography and will offer a sampling intensity that can overcome the constraints of conventional method. The broader impacts of this work also included the training of two graduate students, one in oceanography and the other in engineering or computer technology. The images the instrument can collect could be useful in teaching.