Abstract
The emergence of very high-resolution (VHR) satellite imagery (less than 1 m spatial resolution) is creating new opportunities within the fields of ecology and conservation biology. The advancement of sub-meter resolution imagery has provided greater confidence in the detection and identification of features on the ground, broadening the realm of possible research questions. To date, VHR imagery studies have largely focused on terrestrial environments; however, there has been incremental progress in the last two decades for using this technology to detect cetaceans. With advances in computational power and sensor resolution, the feasibility of broad-scale VHR ocean surveys using VHR satellite imagery with automated detection and classification processes has increased. Initial attempts at automated surveys are showing promising results, but further development is necessary to ensure reliability. Here we discuss the future directions in which VHR satellite imagery might be used to address urgent questions in whale conservation. We highlight the current challenges to automated detection and to extending the use of this technology to all oceans and various whale species. To achieve basin-scale marine surveys, currently not feasible with any traditional surveying methods (including boat-based and aerial surveys), future research requires a collaborative effort between biology, computation science, and engineering to overcome the present challenges to this platform’s use.
Highlights
Scott Polar Research Institute, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK; UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK; HiDef, Aerial Surveying Limited, 17 Silvermills Court, Edinburgh EH3 5DG, UK; Department of Ecology & Evolution, Stony Brook University, New York, NY 11794, USA; Those authors contributed to this paper
Monitoring whales using very high-resolution (VHR) satellite imagery was first attempted using the IKONOS2 satellite in 2002; the 0.82 m spatial resolution provided by this satellite was not sufficient to make confident identifications [10]
While cetacean surveys will be challenging with almost any survey platforms, VHR satellite imagery has the potential to fill knowledge gaps in whale research, allowing access to remote or rarely or infrequently monitored regions, as well as surveys of large spatial scope
Summary
The study of wildlife using satellite imagery commenced with the Landsat-1 satellite (80 m spatial resolution), initially launched in 1972 to monitor land cover, and later extended for habitat surveys and to map the distribution range of some species [1,2,3]. While cetacean surveys will be challenging with almost any survey platforms, VHR satellite imagery has the potential to fill knowledge gaps in whale research, allowing access to remote or rarely or infrequently monitored regions, as well as surveys of large spatial scope. (2) supplement field-collected data by helping better plan aerial and boat-based surveys; and (3) allow for continued monitoring of whales when person-dependent surveys are restricted—as we have experienced during a pandemic—building a mechanism for important conservation research to continue globally. This method is in its infancy, with further pilot studies and experimentation needed. A group of 33 participants from academia, consultancy, government, and industry came together to discuss the most recent advancements in satellite technologies and image recognition for marine surveys and the future of this field of study
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