EPFL Scientists Develop Game-Changing DeepReefMap for Reef ResearchRevolutionary AI System Streamlines Coral Reef Mapping in Minutes. Credit: newatlas.com

A groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) system has revolutionized the process of mapping coral reefs. Developed by scientists at Switzerland's EPFL research institute, the new system, called DeepReefMap, allows for faster and more efficient 3D mapping of these fragile ecosystems. This technology could prove crucial in saving threatened reefs by enabling scientists to study them both onsite and remotely from their labs.

Traditionally, mapping a coral reef involves trained divers taking hundreds of photos from multiple angles and then using complex computer algorithms to combine them into a 3D map. This is a time-consuming and resource-intensive process, resulting in a limited and often incomplete representation of the reef.

DeepReefMap changes the game by allowing just one amateur diver equipped with a consumer-grade action camera to map vast stretches of reef in a matter of minutes. The only limitations are the battery life of the camera and the diver's air supply. As the diver swims over the reef, the downward-facing camera captures continuous footage of the corals from different perspectives. This footage is then processed by DeepReefMap's advanced deep-learning algorithms, creating a comprehensive 3D map of the reef that can be viewed from all angles.

Unlike traditional reef-mapping technologies, which require brightly lit and high-resolution images, DeepReefMap is able to compensate for the low light and poor water clarity often encountered in underwater photography. Additionally, the system can assess the health of corals and identify different species based on their shapes.

In field tests conducted in the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea, a single diver was able to capture a 100-meter stretch of reef in just five minutes. It then took another five minutes for DeepReefMap to generate a detailed 3D map of the area. For larger reefs, multiple cameras can be mounted on a single rig and carried by one diver. In the Red Sea experiments, six GoPro Hero 10 cameras were mounted on a lightweight PVC frame, spaced 1 meter apart and shooting at 1080p/30fps.

"This new system opens the door for anyone to contribute to mapping the world's coral reefs," said Samuel Gardaz of the Transnational Red Sea Center, one of the researchers involved in the study. "It will greatly enhance research in this field by reducing the workload, equipment, and logistics, as well as the associated costs."

A paper detailing the research was recently published in the journal Methods in Ecology and Evolution. With DeepReefMap, the future of coral reef mapping looks brighter than ever.

Source: newatlas.com
Steven Russell
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