Steven G. Hall

A comparison of image processing techniques for bird recognition.

Bird predation is one of the major concerns for fish culture in open ponds. A novel method for dispersing birds is the use of autonomous vehicles. Image recognition software can improve their efficiency. Several image processing techniques for recognition of birds have been tested. A series of morphological operations were implemented. We divided images into 3 types, Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3, based on the level of difficulty of recognizing birds. Type 1 images were clear; Type 2 images were medium clear, and Type 3 images were unclear. Local thresholding has been implemented using HSV (Hue, Saturation, and Value), GRAY, and RGB (Red, Green, and Blue) color models on all three sections of images and results were tabulated. Template matching using normal correlation and artificial neural networks (ANN) are the other methods that have been developed in this study in addition to image morphology. Template matching produced satisfactory results irrespective of the difficulty level of images, but artificial neural networks produced accuracies of 100, 60, and 50% on Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 images, respectively. Correct classification rate can be increased by further training. Future research will focus on testing the recognition algorithms in natural or aquacultural settings on autonomous boats. Applications of such techniques to industrial, agricultural, or related areas are additional future possibilities.

Sugar Cane Yield Monitoring System

The objectives of this study were to develop a scale to continuously weigh sugar cane as it was being harvested, to determine the scales accuracy, and to statistically analyze the effects of variety, maturity, flow-rate, and section/row length on the accuracy. A yield monitoring system was developed for a billet-type harvester consisting of a weigh plate, a data acquisition system, and a differential global positioning system. The weigh plate was mounted on a 1997 CAMECO CH2500 combine in the upper portion of the elevator and supported by load cells mounted in an adjustable protective box. The data acquisition system was set up to record consecutive measurements based on a slat conveyer speed of 183 cm (72 in.) per second. Experiments were run with different levels of maturity, variety, row/section length, and flow rate, and the measured weight of material was compared to a weigh wagon. Results indicate that the system was able to predict sugar cane yield (which is measured by weight) with a measured versus predicted weight regression slope of 0.9 and an R2 of 0.97. The average error for all readings was 11 percent. This work showed statistically that the scale readings varied by yield and variety, but that maturity, section length, and flow rate did not have a significant effect on the readings.

Use of Autonomous Vehicles for Drinking Water Monitoring and Management in an Urban Environment

Autonomous vehicles are capable of independent operation, and can be used for monitoring and management in a variety of applications. Autonomous boats were designed and built for monitoring and managing drinking water in an urban reservoir. The autonomous vehicles are driven by paddlewheels or small props, may be solar powered or battery powered, and can be linked to GPS. Temperature and dissolved oxygen are among the parameters that have been measured with the vehicles, while the vehicles have been used to reduce birds on the reservoir, and thus to reduce fecal contamination of drinking water. Machine vision or infrared sensors may be used to detect birds and scaring mechanisms may include physical proximity, movement or squirting of water to drive the birds off the reservoir in a non-fatal and environmentally friendly manner.

Ecological engineering of artificial oyster reefs to enhance carbon sequestration via the algae-oyster complex

Ecological engineering of bioengineered reef systems has been shown useful in reducing or reversing erosion in shallow estuarine systems, reducing wave energy, producing food, enhancing habitat, and, coupled with natural solar energy gatherers such as algae, sequestering carbon in a sustainable fashion. Use of biological organism complexes such as algae and oysters to sequester carbon can provide a sustainable solar based solution for carbon capture and storage (CCS) to mitigate the risks of climate change. On a carbon per time per surface area basis, these reefs can be orders of magnitude more effective than grass based systems and significantly more effective than some tree based systems. Concerns over ocean acidification also suggest removal of carbon from the ocean. However, oysters alone are animals which are net producers of carbon dioxide, whereas oysters coupled with algae can be net long term carbon sequesterers, therefore the net carbon sequestration potential of the Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica with algae species. A system was designed to assess growth of both algae and oysters in a completely closed system. Relevant parameters include CO2 and O2 in air and water; shell carbon sequestration, wet and dry biomass, net algae concentrations, and pH. Results include quantification of carbon sequestered in various normalized formats and suggest the algae-oyster complex provides significant long term sustainable carbon sequestration potential. Recent moderate sized projects (meters to kilometers; kiloton size basis) are being monitored to assess results on a larger scale and larger projects (multikilometer, megaton mass basis) are proposed. A brief review of these projects shows the potential for scaleability of such ecological engineering techniques.

Use of autonomous vehicles for improving sustainability via water quality and biological pest management

Autonomous vehicles are capable of independent operation, and can be used for monitoring and control in a variety of applications, leading to improved sustainability in aquaculture, environmental management and related areas. Applications of such vehicles in aquaculture have been documented more heavily in recent years. They have been used for applications such as: the reduction of bird predation, monitoring water quality parameters, or for other agricultural or Aquacultural applications. Autonomous boats and airplanes have been designed and built for monitoring and potentially managing aquacultural facilities, natural water bodies and for drinking water in urban reservoirs. These boats are solar powered and capable of gathering environmental information. Sustainability may be improved via more environmentally friendly operations, reductions in labor costs and the avoidance of difficult or dangerous operations for humans. Thus, autonomous boats can be used for monitoring water quality parameters, reducing biological pests or unwanted predators, and can do so in an environmentally friendly manner which improves sustainability.

Design of a communications system between multiple autonomous vehicles

A single autonomous vehicle has proven to be a safe, environmentally friendly, and effective method to reduce bird predation on aquaculture ponds. This research has been extended to larger aquaculture systems and to other areas related to aquaculture such as water quality monitoring. The vehicles are also being tested in a natural environment taking water quality and other data related to monitoring coastal erosion and efficacy of restoration efforts. These large scale environments necessitate the use of multiple vehicles to accomplish the tasks in a timely manner. The usefulness of multiple autonomous vehicles is greatly increased when the vehicles have a method of communicating location and sensor information. We discuss various communications methodologies, design considerations and realized benefits of one such system currently being tested.

Design, Development and Testing of an Engineered Alligator Culture Facility

Abstract. American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) are now a cultured species of significant economic and ecological importance in Louisiana and other southeastern US states. A limited number of locations have studies ecological, biological, economic, disease and processing aspects of alligator culture. However, facilities have been modest and generally have not had significant engineering input. Current work on an alligator facility funded jointly between the LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana alligator industry has allowed development of what is believed to be the first engineered crocodilian facility in the world. The project includes geothermal water heating, automated water flow control, temperature and air flow control, data acquisition, independent water depth and temperature control on 24 tanks, each 4 feet by 8 feet with maximum depth of 2 feet (1.2 x 2.3 x 0.5m depth) each with independent temperature control. The temperature control is accomplished with the help of two 6000 gallon (24,000l) water holding tanks which acquire and hold water from a geothermal well (30-35C); recycle water to natural gas fired heaters (to raise temperature to within 1 degree of desired final temperature); and 1000W electric insertion heaters for final heating. Campbell Scientific data acquisition and control hardware and software was customized to control heating, flow control and fans. A separate component of the facility is a quarantine facility with independent water and air flow control for studying diseased or challenged animals. Expected studies include alligator biology, feeding, disease, water quality, waste management and related work which this design now facilitates.

Use of Bioengineered Artificial Reefs for Ecological Restoration in Estuarine Environments

Bioengineered reefs have been developed that enhance natural spatset of oysters Crassostrea virginica and other sessile organisms, and can be emplaced in appropriate coastal waters. These reefs encourage growth of desired organisms and, in areas where regeneration of oyster populations are needed, can in themselves constitute ecological restoration. However, in addition to hosting sessile organisms, these reefs, which have high porosities (material use is less than 20% of usual rock breakwaters), also allow juvenile fish to find shelter and may enhance sedimentation or reduce erosion. Engineering design has focused on optimizing growth of organisms, allowing potential harvest, reducing wave erosion, sequestering carbon for long periods (millennia), and assisting in coastal wetlands restoration. Growth of organisms is enhanced by providing larger amounts of surface area (more than twice the surface area compared to rock) and including attractants (agricultural byproducts which release nitrogen compounds), as well as by the geometry. Harvest could be made from such reefs, and, since they are engineered, they can be made more harvestable. Wave energy is reduced more as growth occurs, so this is a potential negative when first emplaced, but allows enhanced sustainability over time, while carbon is sequestered in shells long term. The current coastal settlement rate of ~1-2 cm/yr allows carbon sequestration that could offset millions of tons annually in large emplacements. Finally, coastal wetlands are enhanced both by reduction of erosion and by enhanced habitat for juvenile fish and plant species. The potential for ecological restoration has only begun to be explored.

Testing of Engineered Concrete for Biologically Dominated Coastal Restoration Mechanisms

Oysterbreak (patent pending) technology has been used for development of biologically dominated engineered coastal restoration mechanisms. These devices have a number of advantages over traditional (usually rock or concrete based) coastal protection devices. They require less material and hence are less expensive, as well as lighter, resulting in slower sinking rates in sediment dominated areas such as coastal Louisiana or other deltaic areas. They also take advantage of and encourage natural reef-building actions of animals such as the eastern oyster, which can form large, stable concretions which provide habitat and protection for other species. The concrete required for such devices must provide surface area for colonization of desired organisms (e.g. the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica), but still provide sufficient strength to survive most wave conditions in coastal areas where they will be deployed. A series of tests focused on measuring properties of composite concretes, with components including agricultural byproducts (e.g. cottonseed), oyster shell, coastal sands and muds, and various concentrations of cement, sand and gravel. These tests included crush (compression) as well as bending tests and reveal a wide variety of mechanical properties. This information has been useful in designing different components of oysterbreak devices and optimizing such devices for coastal maintenance and reclamation.

Modeling Growth and Wave Attenuation for Coastal Restoration

Modeling of the oysterbreak (patent pending) technology, which has been used for development of biologically dominated engineered coastal restoration mechanisms was performed. These devices have a number of advantages over traditional (usually rock or concrete based) coastal protection devices. They require less material and hence are less expensive, as well as lighter, resulting in slower sinking rates in sediment dominated areas such as coastal Louisiana or other deltaic areas. They also take advantage of and encourage natural reef-building actions of animals such as the eastern oyster, which can form large, stable concretions which provide habitat and protection for other species. The concrete required for such devices must provide surface area for colonization of desired organisms (e.g. the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica), and takes advantage of the growth and eventual wave dissipation capacities of the biological components. Modeling of growth, energy dissipation and resultant forces as well as erosion or deposition is a necessary part of good engineering design of such biologically dominated engineered artificial reefs.