System for non-invasive, video-based analysis of movement parameters of large marine animals

Abstract

System for the non-invasive analysis of movement and energy parameters of large marine animals, including: - at least one recording device for capturing underwater video sequences, - a processing unit with software modules for extracting kinematic parameters, - an evaluation unit for determining speed, distance, movement cycle parameters and derivable energy parameters, characterized in that the system works exclusively from video-based input data and enables an analysis of the movement energy without physical contact, without attaching tags and without disturbing the animal.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a system for the non-invasive, video-based analysis of the movement and energy parameters of large marine animals, in particular sharks, rays, whales, turtles and other large fish. State of the art

[0002] Current methods for analyzing the movement and energy levels of marine animals often rely on physically attached sensors such as tags or accelerometers. These methods are invasive, technically complex, and can influence the animals' behavior.

[0003] A completely non-invasive, quantitative analysis of swimming kinematics and energy parameters from ordinary underwater video data has not yet been sufficiently solved. Object of the invention

[0004] The task is to provide a system that extracts precise movement parameters and derived energy values ​​from any underwater videos without touching or tagging the animals. Solution to the task

[0005] The task is solved by a system that includes the following components: - A recording device for capturing underwater videos. - A processing unit with software modules for determining kinematic parameters such as velocity, distance, frequency and amplitude. - An evaluation unit for determining energy-related parameters and an uncertainty assessment. Advantages of the invention - Completely non-invasive, no physical tags or interventions. - Analysis is possible with ordinary underwater videos. - Provision of standardized kinematic and energy-related data. - Scalable ecological data collection for threatened species. Examples of implementation

[0006] The system can be used to analyze the swimming movements of sharks. The software recognizes relevant body characteristics and calculates speed, movement frequency, and energy expenditure. In another version, the system serves as part of a three-part analysis platform that also includes modules for nutrition and prey availability.

Claims

[1] System for non-invasive analysis of movement and energy parameters of large marine animals, comprising: - at least one recording device for capturing underwater video sequences, - a processing unit with software modules for extracting kinematic parameters, - an evaluation unit for determining speed, distance, motion cycle parameters and energy parameters derivable from them, characterized by that the system works exclusively from video-based input data and enables an analysis of movement energy without physical contact, without attaching tags and without disturbing the animal. [2] System according to claim 1, characterized by that the processing unit includes a module for determining swimming speed, swimming frequency, amplitude parameters and movement profiles. [3] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the software has automatic feature recognition for identifying the body or specific body parts of the animal under examination. [4] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the evaluation unit includes a module for calculating the energy expedition. [5] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the processing unit performs an uncertainty assessment. [6] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the system can be used on ordinary underwater videos. [7] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it can be operated as part of a three-part overall platform. [8] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the data processing takes place locally or externally and outputs standardized energy data sets.