Semi-automated camera trap image processing for the detection of ungulate fence crossing events.
Environ Monit Assess
; 189(10): 527, 2017 Sep 27.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28956203
ABSTRACT
Remote cameras are an increasingly important tool for ecological research. While remote camera traps collect field data with minimal human attention, the images they collect require post-processing and characterization before it can be ecologically and statistically analyzed, requiring the input of substantial time and money from researchers. The need for post-processing is due, in part, to a high incidence of non-target images. We developed a stand-alone semi-automated computer program to aid in image processing, categorization, and data reduction by employing background subtraction and histogram rules. Unlike previous work that uses video as input, our program uses still camera trap images. The program was developed for an ungulate fence crossing project and tested against an image dataset which had been previously processed by a human operator. Our program placed images into categories representing the confidence of a particular sequence of images containing a fence crossing event. This resulted in a reduction of 54.8% of images that required further human operator characterization while retaining 72.6% of the known fence crossing events. This program can provide researchers using remote camera data the ability to reduce the time and cost required for image post-processing and characterization. Further, we discuss how this procedure might be generalized to situations not specifically related to animal use of linear features.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Monitoreo del Ambiente
/
Mamíferos
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Environ Monit Assess
Asunto de la revista:
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Año:
2017
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Canadá