Automated detection and enumeration of marine wildlife using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and thermal imagery.
Estimating animal populations is critical for wildlife management. Aerial surveys are used for generating population estimates, but can be hampered by cost, logistical complexity, and human risk. Additionally, human counts of organisms in aerial imagery can be tedious and subjective. Automated approaches show promise, but can be constrained by long setup times and difficulty discriminating animals in aggregations. We combine unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), thermal imagery and computer vision to improve traditional wildlife survey methods. During spring 2015, we flew fixed-wing UAS equipped with thermal sensors, imaging two grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) breeding colonies in eastern Canada. Human analysts counted and classified individual seals in imagery manually. Concurrently, an automated classification and detection algorithm discriminated seals based upon temperature, size, and shape of thermal signatures. Automated counts were within 95-98% of human estimates; at Saddle Island, the model estimated 894 seals compared to analyst counts of 913, and at Hay Island estimated 2188 seals compared to analysts' 2311. The algorithm improves upon shortcomings of computer vision by effectively recognizing seals in aggregations while keeping model setup time minimal. Our study illustrates how UAS, thermal imagery, and automated detection can be combined to efficiently collect population data critical to wildlife management.
Division of Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA.
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Seymour
Division of Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA.
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Dale
Peches et Oceans Canada/Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Institut Maurice-Lamontagne/Maurice Lamontagne Institute, C.P. 1000/P.O. Box 1000 850 Route de la Mer Mont-Joli, QC, G5H 3Z4, Canada.
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Hammill
Division of Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA.
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Halpin
Division of Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA.
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Johnston
D000401:Aircraft; D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D001331:Automation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D018533:Biomass; D058998:Remote Sensing Technology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000502:physiology*; D013817:Thermography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*