Selena Kupfner and Matthew Lybolt

RAVEN ViewTM: Video capture tool used for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Coral/Hardbottom Monitoring Project.

Selena Kupfner and Matthew Lybolt

Florida Marine Research Institute, St. Petersburg, FL

RAVEN ViewTM is a video tool that facilitates researcher’s ability to capture video, generate high-resolution mosaics and georeference video clips. RAVEN ViewTM was originally developed for the US Department of Defense in conjunction with aerial video for mine detection, infrastructure assessment, and location of geospatial data. The software also has been used in commercial applications to collect aerial images of roadways, shorelines, power grids and pipelines. Ground video has been used for surveillance, crime scene documentation, and emergency response analysis. In 2001, Observera Inc. collaborated with the Florida Marine Research Institute’s coral reef monitoring team to adapt the RAVEN ViewTM for use in underwater video interpretation.

The CRMP uses video extensively for analysis of coral reef conditions at sampling sites within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Dry Tortugas . RAVEN ViewTM captures live or recorded video from an analog input, or video capture cards can be used to input video imported from other systems. Captured video can be played back or manipulated using RAVEN ViewTM’s other tools. CRMP researchers use a method called framegrabbing. Still images are grabbed from the full motion video clips of the coral reef sampling stations for data analysis. To ensure that the sampled area is not double counted, or skipped, frames that have no overlap or gaps between adjacent frames are selected. RAVEN ViewTM quickly generates mosaic images from the stored video clips which are used to grab images with a specified overlap (down to 0%). This gives analysts the best possible selection of imagery.

Mosaic images are also used to create time-series comparisons of coral sampling stations (Figures 1-4). RAVEN ViewTM can create a mosaic from any video imagery; however, panoramic views produce the best results (Figures 1 and 2). Mosaics can be printed, exported in a variety of formats, and transferred to other image tools (e.g. Image Pro, PointCount, Premiere or Adobe Photoshop) for further analysis. We have tested planimetric analysis of mosaics using PointCount for Coral ReefsTM, and ImagePro. Planimetric analyses of large mosaics are effective for survey of relatively large-scale features, but cumbersome for small-scale changes.

RAVEN ViewTM also has capability to add geographic information to video. When a map or reference image of the region is also shown in the video, RAVEN ViewTM can produce a mosaic image with a known geographic location. Mosaics that have been geolocated can be displayed as overlays on a map or used to determine approximate geographic locations of features visible in the mosaic or video from which it was produced. CRMP researchers have recently begun testing this georeference tool and determined its application for more effectively monitoring and mapping location of large diseased or bleached coral heads from year to year.

The RAVEN ViewTM software is currently being used by many different organizations world-wide. RAVEN View’s tools could also be used for other research applications such as wetland monitoring, coastal surveys, and marine habitat damage assessments.

Figure 1. Panoramic view at Conch Deep Reef in 1996. Dendrogyra cylindrus (black circles) and Acropora palmata (white circles) are present.

Figure 2. Panoramic view at Conch Deep Reef in 2002. The Dendogyra cylindrus (black circles) seen in 1996 is mostly absent in 2002. One stand of Acropora palmata (white circles) seen in 1996 is missing and the other is present 2002.

Figures 3. Time-series comparison showing bleaching of coral between 2001 and 2002 at Bird Key Reef in Dry Tortugas.

Figure 4. Time-series comparison at Western Sambo Deep sampling station. Acropora palmata was present in 1996 and absent by 2002.

A copy of the poster may be obtained by requesting the following reference. Kupfner, S. and Lybolt, M. 2003. RAVEN ViewTM: Video capture tool used for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Coral/Hardbottom Monitoring Project. Florida Marine Research Institute, St. Petersburg, FL. IHR#2003-003.

Kupfner, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 100 8th Av SE. St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Voice 727-893-9860 x1120, Fax 727-893-1270,