Vineyard pruning weight assessment by machine vision: towards an on-the-go measurement system

Aim: Pruning weight is an indicator of vegetative growth and vigour in grapevine. Traditionally, it is manually determined, which is time-consuming and labour-demanding. This study aims at providing a new, non-invasive and low-cost method for pruning weight estimation in commercial vineyards based on computer vision. Methods and results: The methodology relies on computer-based analysis of RGB images captured manually and on-the-go in a VSP Tempranillo vineyard. Firstly, the pruning weight estimation was evaluated using manually taken photographs using a controlled background. These images were analysed to generate a model of wood pruning weight estimation, resulting in a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.91 (p<0.001) and a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 87.7 g. After this, a mobile sensor platform (modified ATV) was used to take vine images automatically and on-the-go without background. These RGB images were analysed using a fully automated computer vision algorithm, resulting in R2 = 0.75 (p<0.001) and RMSE = 147.9 g. Finally, the mobile sensor platform was also used to sample a commercial VSP vineyard to map the spatial variability of wood pruning weight, and hereafter vine vigour. Conclusions: The results showed that the developed computer vision methodology was able to estimate the vine pruning weight in commercial vineyards and to map the spatial variation of the pruning weight across a vineyard. Significance and impact of the study: The presented methodology may become a valuable tool for the wine industry for rapid assessment and mapping of vine vigour. This information can be used to support decision making on pruning, fertilization and canopy management

Reef rescue marine monitoring program quality assurance and quality control manual 2013/2014

The Reef Rescue Marine Monitoring Program Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) Manual summarises the monitoring methods and procedures used in the Program. Detailed sampling manuals, standard operating procedures, analytical procedures and other details are provided as appendices

A review of techniques for monitoring the success of peatland restoration

An important element of all peatland restorationprojects is a programme of monitoring to checkresults and progress. Several peat projectworkshops identified a demand for technicalguidance on monitoring techniques. So NaturalEngland commissioned this study to: -Review the range of peatland restorationmonitoring techniques available. -Identify those that were consistent, informativeand easily applicable for peatland restorationprojects at a range of scales and budgets.Tables to identify appropriate monitoringtechniques for specific projects are published inthe Technical Information Note TIN097 -Guidelines for monitoring peatland restoration.Further information on these techniques isprovided in this report.The findings of this study have been used to: -Inform the JNCC project to design a researchprogramme on UK Peatland Green House Gasand Carbon Flux. -Develop thinking on monitoring peatlands inthe IUCN UK Peatland Programme. -Inform hydrological monitoring programmes forthe Dartmoor and Exmoor Mires Project.These findings are being disseminated to: -Encourage the use of balanced and consistentapproaches to peatland restoration monitoring. -Develop consistency in monitoring approachesso as to enable possible future collation ofpeatland monitoring data as a single databaseresource.A single database resource of peatlandrestoration would enable more robust analysesof monitoring data to support the developmentand implementation of future support andmanagement techniques for peatlandrestoration

Remote sensing of water leaks from rural aqueducts

The development of techniques for the detection of water leaks from underground pipelines is seen as a high profile activity by water companies and regulators. This is due to increasing water demands and problems with current leak detection methods. In this thesis optical reflectance and microwave backscatter were used to identify optimal indices for detecting water leaks amongst a variety of different land cover types at different growth stages. Ground-based surveys and modelling techniques were used to establish optimal wavelengths for detection. Results from these studies suggested that in the optical domain visible/middle infrared ratios show potential for leak detection for a wide range of leak types, under a variety of vegetation canopies at different growth stages. Given the sensitivity of L-band radar to moisture, and the ability to separate contributions from canopy and ground surface, it is possible to detect surface water beneath a range of vegetation canopies. The optimal leak detection indices were then used to idenitfy leaks on airborne image data. The available image data was L - band fully polarimetric E-SAR data, and 126 channel HYMAP hyperspectral airborne data which were acquired over an 8km section of the Vrynwy aqueduct (UK), which included a high concentration of leaks. Four of the five leaks were identifiable on the optical image data and none of the leaks were detectable on the microwave data. However the E-SAR data was obtained under unfavourable conditions. The results of both approaches are used to infer limits of detection in terms of season and meteorological conditions for a range of land covers. Preliminary findings suggest that leaks may be optimally detected when canopy height is low, surrounding soil is dry after a period of no rain, and the leak has been present for at least 2 days. The results from this work suggest that remote sensing is both an effective and feasible tool for leak identification

A novel cosmic-ray neutron detector for soil moisture estimation over large areas

Water scarcity and droughts problems in several parts of the world highlight the necessity of new solutions for better management of water resources. The prerequisite is reliable soil moisture data, measured over large-scales and in real-time. Due to this crucial role, many devices have been developed to measure soil moisture at different spatial and temporal scales. Available technologies range from point-scale invasive approaches as for instances Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) probes to remote sensing approaches, like satellite remote methods. Nevertheless, practical problems arise when using these techniques: point-scale probe are invasive and their estimate difficult to scale up to field level, on the other hand, remote sensing exhibit unsuitable temporal resolution and, most importantly, they are sensitive only to a thin part of the soil and land surface. In the last decade, to overcome operational challenges of the aforementioned techniques, a proximal geophysical method has been developed, in order to fill the gap between point scale and remote sensing approaches: the Cosmic-ray Neutron Sensing (CRNS). CRNS is a valid and robust alternative, offering many advantages: it is contactless, allows quantification of soil moisture averaged over large areas with only one probe, and is not invasive for agricultural field operations. The significant advantages of the CRNS are its large horizontal footprint (up to tens of hectares) and the penetration depth of tens of centimeters, enough to reach typical roots depth. State-of-the-art probes used in CRNS are based on Helium-3 proportional counter tubes. Helium-3 is a nuclide produced almost entirely in artificial contexts as sub-product of the tritium decay, the current storage is depleting, and the price is high and rising, as it comes mainly from the production or dismantling of the nuclear weapons of the past decades. In the thesis, a new solution was studied. This new probe is based on a composite detector made of commercial scintillation detectors: EJ-276 and EJ-420(6) both manufactured by Eljen Technology (USA). In this kind of detectors, particles are identified and discriminated according to the generated signals, with an algorithm based on Pulse Shape Discrimination (PSD) which exploits the different processes activated by different particles interacting in the scintillator. PSD parameters were optimized with the aim of ensuring optimal discrimination capabilities. The readout is made of a flat panel photomultiplier H8500 from Hamamatsu, a fast digitizer DT5725 from CAEN, a low-cost, low-power, embedded computer Beaglebone black from Beagleboard and a low cost High Voltage power supply A7505 from CAEN. The digitizer is interfaced with the embedded computer, which hosts the acquisition and the analysis software. The online analysis software was developed as a distributed system where each task is handled by an independent server always running. Finally, the probe was installed in a recent orchard with walnut trees for four months. Results showed that the reconstructed soil moisture is well correlated with precipitations, and it shows the limit of standard measurement, that can be influenced by the heterogeneity of the soil and the irrigation distribution

Science-based restoration monitoring of coastal habitats, Volume Two: Tools for monitoring coastal habitats

Healthy coastal habitats are not only important ecologically; they also support healthy coastal communities and improve the quality of people’s lives. Despite their many benefits and values, coastal habitats have been systematically modified, degraded, and destroyed throughout the United States and its protectorates beginning with European colonization in the 1600’s (Dahl 1990). As a result, many coastal habitats around the United States are in desperate need of restoration. The monitoring of restoration projects, the focus of this document, is necessary to ensure that restoration efforts are successful, to further the science, and to increase the efficiency of future restoration efforts

Marine Monitoring Program quality assurance and quality control manual 2018-19

[Extract] This manual describes the quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) processes undertaken as part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Marine Monitoring Program (MMP) activities associated with the annual technical reports for the 2018–19 monitoring year. The MMP is a collaborative effort that relies on effective partnerships between governments, industry, community, scientists and managers. A conceptual model was used to identify indicators linking water quality and ecosystem health which were refined in consultation with monitoring providers and independent experts. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (the Marine Park Authority) is responsible for the management of the MMP in partnership with monitoring providers

Exploring Animal Behavior Through Sound: Volume 1

This open-access book empowers its readers to explore the acoustic world of animals. By listening to the sounds of nature, we can study animal behavior, distribution, and demographics; their habitat characteristics and needs; and the effects of noise. Sound recording is an efficient and affordable tool, independent of daylight and weather; and recorders may be left in place for many months at a time, continuously collecting data on animals and their environment. This book builds the skills and knowledge necessary to collect and interpret acoustic data from terrestrial and marine environments. Beginning with a history of sound recording, the chapters provide an overview of off-the-shelf recording equipment and analysis tools (including automated signal detectors and statistical methods); audiometric methods; acoustic terminology, quantities, and units; sound propagation in air and under water; soundscapes of terrestrial and marine habitats; animal acoustic and vibrational communication; echolocation; and the effects of noise. This book will be useful to students and researchers of animal ecology who wish to add acoustics to their toolbox, as well as to environmental managers in industry and government

Exploring Animal Behavior Through Sound: Volume 1

This open-access book empowers its readers to explore the acoustic world of animals. By listening to the sounds of nature, we can study animal behavior, distribution, and demographics; their habitat characteristics and needs; and the effects of noise. Sound recording is an efficient and affordable tool, independent of daylight and weather; and recorders may be left in place for many months at a time, continuously collecting data on animals and their environment. This book builds the skills and knowledge necessary to collect and interpret acoustic data from terrestrial and marine environments. Beginning with a history of sound recording, the chapters provide an overview of off-the-shelf recording equipment and analysis tools (including automated signal detectors and statistical methods); audiometric methods; acoustic terminology, quantities, and units; sound propagation in air and under water; soundscapes of terrestrial and marine habitats; animal acoustic and vibrational communication; echolocation; and the effects of noise. This book will be useful to students and researchers of animal ecology who wish to add acoustics to their toolbox, as well as to environmental managers in industry and government