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

在过去的十年里，使用现场视频的新方法表明，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在计算机上进行数字记录，计算机可以通过图像识别软件实时处理数据。此外，现场成像将能够进行非常高分辨率的采样，从而绘制浮游动物的水平和垂直分布图，并提供对其自然行为的现场实现。到目前为止，成像系统在取样量方面一直受到限制，从而限制了它们对大量小型浮游动物(如桡足类)的量化，但不是相对罕见的，而是较大的鱼鳞鱼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、起伏的车辆。结合阴影照明技术，可以以非常高的分辨率对相对大容量的水进行成像。在NSF SGER的资助下，PI建造了一个摄像系统和拖车的原型。这一组合系统经过了成功的现场测试，不仅证明了摄像系统的工作原理，而且还表明，即使在佛罗里达海峡相对贫瘠的佛罗里达洋流的核心水域，它也能够对幼鱼进行量化。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实地测试。此外，随着系统开始运行，必须满足对自动图像分析的需求。最后，需要仔细测试现场采样能力和图像分析算法，以定量评估ISIIS的准确性。更广泛的影响：专家小组认为，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极其宝贵的工具，并将提供能够克服传统方法限制的采样强度。这项工作的更广泛影响还包括培训了两名研究生，一名是海洋学，另一名是工程或计算机技术。该仪器可以采集的图像可能在教学中有用。

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.