Monitoring of underwater animal forests: geometry and biometry

Abstract

The development and testing of innovative technologies and automated data analysis methodologies offer tools for investigations in numerous scenarios including the monitoring of complex marine ecosystems and the direct and indirect effects of climate change on natural heritage. In the underwater environment, the creation of products with accurate metric and colorimetric content is a scientific and technological challenge, that can offer tools for new investigations including the monitoring of ecosystems and the study of biodiversity. The research group developed a technological solution consisting of a remotely operating platform and a measuring system that includes RGB and fluorescence optical sensors for the 3D reconstruction of the underwater environment and the study of the health-state of investigated species. The proposed solution aspires to high-accuracy multiscale reconstruction of underwater animal forests with a special focus on metric content. Methodologies and technical solutions for the management and calibration of the system have been developed: the design of proper calibration frames and the fluorescence sensor, the choice of a proper illumination system, the implementation of the system on a customizable Remotely Operating Vehicle, the integration of the different sensors, the combination of metric and colorimetric results for monitoring the occurred deformations and the health status. The results of laboratory activities and preliminary tests on field tests are discussed.