Open AccessA simple in situ labelling approach and adequate tools for photo and video quadrats used in underwater ecological studies
Author(s) -
Bernabé Moreno
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
underwater technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.229
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 1756-0551
pISSN - 1756-0543
DOI - 10.3723/ut.37.029
Subject(s) - quadrat , in situ , sampling (signal processing) , underwater , labelling , environmental science , computer science , remote sensing , ecology , oceanography , marine engineering , engineering , geography , geology , meteorology , detector , telecommunications , biology , biochemistry , transect
Ecological studies use quadrats to gather qualitative (1/0) and quantitative (density and surface coverage) information in terrestrial and marine sciences. Depending on the spatiotemporal scale of the assessment, this could be a pilot or a monitoring survey. For monitoring surveys, it is necessary to develop a code for the quadrat itself ( in situ labelling), for the digital file ( ex situ codification), and ideally, for both. The design of the quadrat used for these studies must accomplish ergonomics through certain specifications such as: made of highly resistant material; negative-buoyant but lightweight; anticorrosive (specially for marine environments); able to stay positioned on seafloor habitat; and compatible with the in situ labelling technique. The present paper is a comparison of quadrats of different materials and widths, including the implementation of an in situ and ex situ codification technique. Recommendations are made after several test hours sampling with quadrats.