Page 114 - Marine Research

Quantification and Analysis of 3D Structure of Coral

Reefs

Guan-Yan Chen Cheng-Feng Dai
1
2*
1 Master, Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University
2 Professor, Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University,

ABSTRACT

The structural complexity of coral reefs which is essential for maintaining
their high biodiversity and ecosystem functions can be a good indicator for
assessing their healthy status. However, it is very difficult to quantify the structural
complexity of coral reefs efficiently by traditional methods. Recently, the Structure
from Motion (SfM), a low-cost photogrammetric method, has been increasingly
applied to generate 3D models of coral reefs with high resolutions. Herein we
introduce the standard protocols of applying SfM in underwater survey and
quantitative analysis at Chaojing and Wanlitong reefs. The results of 3D models
reveal the differences in structural complexity of benthic features and can be used
to assess the impacts of marine activities on coral reefs. Besides, drones can also
be used to survey the structural complexity of coral reefs in a larger area. In a
smaller scale, photographs of a coral colony taken in lab or field can be used to
generate 3D models in high resolutions. The 3D models can be used not only for
quantitative analysis but also for public education and exhibitions. With the
improvement of hardware and data accumulation in the future, the SfM methods
will have high potential in marine ecological survey, ecosystem monitoring and
conservation,

體結構 珊瑚礁立

的
量化
與
析 分

Keywords: 3D model, coral reef, structural complexity, structure from motion.

* Corresponding author, E mail: corallab@ntu.edu.tw

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