Realizing the potential of population information from seal photo-ID studies

在过去的二十年里，英国各地的海豹种群在分布和数量上都经历了巨大的变化。大多数英国灰海豹和港海豹生活在苏格兰水域，但这两种海豹的大部分也分布在爱尔兰海(包括威尔士)、西南部(康沃尔、锡利岛、布列塔尼)、诺福克、林肯郡和诺森伯兰。爱尔兰的南海岸和西海岸也有大量的海豹。跟踪研究表明，海豹能够在几天内移动很远的距离；相反，繁殖群体的特点是海豹忠于以前的繁殖地点，甚至是它们的出生地。最近英国海豹数量趋势的变化引起了人们的注意，即不同地区的海豹之间的联系程度尚不清楚。使用照片识别技术(PHOTO-ID)从不同地区收集了大量关于海豹种群的数据，因为海豹有独特的模式，可以识别个体。除了SMRU照片身份证研究外，当地对这些海豹种群的研究也创建了自己的照片身份证目录，在图像数量、地理范围和调查持续时间方面差异很大。由于种群中的海豹数量很多，收集的数据也很多，需要计算机辅助匹配才能进行有用的比较。现有的图像匹配软件不能处理大量的现有图像，需要新的软件。该项目旨在形成一个参与印章照片身份证的合作伙伴网络，并通过培训讲习班和基于网络的资源更新他们在照片身份证方面的知识和技能。将开发新的图像处理软件，以允许包含许多以前无法获得的旧图像。合作伙伴将受益于其照片身份证方案和数据库效率的提高，这反过来又将向科学界提供信息。还有可能通过生态旅游惠及当地经济。

Over the past two decades, seal populations around Britain have undergone substantial changes in distribution and abundance. Most of the UK's grey and harbour seals live in Scottish waters, but significant parts of both populations also occur fragmented throughout the Irish Sea (including Wales), the southwest (Cornwall, Scilly Isles, Brittany), Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Northumberland. Ireland also has significant seal populations around its south and west coasts. Tracking studies have shown that seals are quite capable of moving great distances in a matter of days; conversely breeding colonies are characterised by seals that remain faithful to previous breeding sites and even to where they were born. Recent changes in UK seal population trends have focussed attention on the fact that the 'degree of connectedness' between seals in different areas remains unclear. A large amount of data from different areas has been collected on seal populations, using the technique of photo-identification (photo-ID), as seals have unique patterns allowing individuals to be identified. In addition to SMRU photo-ID research, locally based studies of these seal populations have created their own photo-ID catalogues, ranging greatly in number of images, geographic extent and duration of survey. Because of the large number of seals in the population and the large quantity of data collected, computer-aided matching is needed to make useful comparisons. Existing software for matching images doesn't deal with a large number of existing images and new software is required. This project aims to form a network of partners involved in seal photo-ID and update their knowledge and skills in photo-ID through training workshops and web-based resources. New image processing software will be developed to allow inclusion of many old images previously unavailable. Partners will benefit from the increased efficiency of their photo-ID programmes and databases which will in turn inform the science community. There is also the potential for benefits to extend to local economies through ecotourism.