Application of shadow rugosity for block segmentation of coral panoramas

Abstract

Coral monitoring is a tedious but essential task in order to keep coral damages in check. In this study, we propose a computer based method which can help in calculating coral coverage. Shadow rugosity was used in order to define a rugosity threshold separating rugosity ranges for corals and sand. Image panoramas of the ocean floor were divided into blocks and segregated according to their respective rugosity values. It was shown that by using the proposed method, coral and sand patches were segregated in a promissing manner.