Thermal Imaging Techniques to Survey and Monitor Animals in the Wild
1st Edition
A Methodology
Description
Thermal Imaging Techniques to Survey and Monitor Animals in the Wild: A Methodology provides a manual for anyone interested in understanding thermal imaging and its usefulness in solving a wide range of problems regarding the observation of wildlife.
In the last decade, the cost of thermal imaging technology has significantly decreased, making the equipment more widely available. This book offers an overview of thermal physics and the thermal imager, along with a methodology to optimize the window of opportunity so that wildlife can be observed and studied in their natural habitat.
Users will find the knowledge and tools to formulate a sound survey design, with detailed sections on the theory and performance characteristics of thermal imaging cameras utilizing cooled quantum detectors as the sensitive element and additional information on the uncooled micro bolometric imagers which have been introduced into the camera market in past decades.
The methodology presented is logical and simple, yet it presents a detailed understanding of the topic and how it applies to the critically interlinked disciplines of biology, physics, micrometeorology, and animal physiology.
Key Features
- Covers the technical aspects of thermal imaging allowing readers to design better experiments
- Provides a clear description of the properties of thermal imaging
- Includes approaches to consider before integrating thermal cameras into a field
Readership
field biologists, resource managers, wildlife researchers, agricultural researchers
Table of Contents
- Dedication
- Preface
- About the Authors
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- Abstract
- Chapter 2: Background
- Abstract
- Overview and basic concepts
- Counting methods
- Chapter 3: Remote Sensing
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Enhanced visual
- Image intensifiers (I2 devices)
- Low light level cameras
- Trip cameras
- Radars and sonars
- Thermal imaging
- Radiotelemetry
- Image intensifiers or thermal imagers?
- Chapter 4: Heat Transfer Mechanisms
- Abstract
- Background
- Animals
- Chapter 5: Optical Radiation
- Abstract
- Kirchhoff’s law
- Stefan–Boltzmann law
- Planck radiation law
- Background temperature
- Apparent temperature
- Chapter 6: Emissivity
- Abstract
- Quality of the surface
- Viewing angle
- Shape of the object
- Apparent temperature Versus viewing angle
- Chapter 7: Thermal Imagers and System Considerations
- Abstract
- Brief history (basic concepts)
- Performance parameters
- Chapter 8: Imager Selection
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Thermal detectors versus photon detectors
- Selecting an IR imager
- Camera features
- Verifying performance
- Typical MWIR camera
- Chapter 9: Properties of Thermal Signatures
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Image quality
- Spectral domain
- Spatial domain
- Temporal domain
- Visibility bias
- Surveillance
- Chapter 10: Thermal Imaging Applications and Experiments
- Abstract
- Background
- Literature reviews
- Concluding remarks
- Chapter 11: Using Thermal Imagers for Animal Ecology
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Surveys
- Angular dependencies and effects
- Emissivity
- Background clutter
- Diurnal cycle
- Atmospheric effects
- Automated detection
- Thermography and thermoregulation
- Chapter 12: On the Horizon
- Abstract
- Drones
- Miniaturized thermal cameras
- References
- Subject Index
Details
- No. of pages:
- 376
- Language:
- English
- Copyright:
- © Academic Press 2016
- Published:
- 25th September 2015
- Imprint:
- Academic Press
- eBook ISBN:
- 9780128033852
- Hardcover ISBN:
- 9780128033845
About the Author
Kirk Havens
Kirk Havens was born in Vienna, Virginia and received his B.S. in Biology (1981) and M.S. in Oceanography (1987) from Old Dominion University and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Public Policy (1996) from George Mason University.
He is a Research Associate Professor, Director of the Coastal Watersheds Program, and Asst. Director of the Center for Coastal Resources Management at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. He also serves as a collaborating partner in the College of William & Mary School of Law Virginia Coastal Policy Clinic. His research has spanned topics as diverse as hormonal activity in blue crabs to tracking black bears and panthers using helicopters and thermal imaging equipment. His present work involves coastal wetlands ecology, microplastics, marine debris, derelict fishing gear, and adaptive management processes. He hosts the VIMS event “A Healthy Bay for Healthy Kids: Cooking with the First Lady” and the public service program “Chesapeake Bay Watch with Dr. Kirk Havens”.
He is Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Partnership’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee. He was originally appointed to STAC by Gov. Warner and was re-appointed by Gov. Kaine, Gov. McDonnell, and Gov. McAuliffe. He was also appointed by North Carolina Gov. Perdue to serve on the Executive Policy Board for the North Carolina Albemarle Pamlico National Estuary Partnership and is presently vice-chair. He serves on the Board of Directors and is past Board Chair of the nonprofit American Canoe Association, the Nation’s largest and oldest (est. 1880) organization dedicated to paddlesports with 40,000 members in every state and 38 countries.
Affiliations and Expertise
Assistant Research Professor, Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), College of William & Mary, United States
Edward Sharp
Ed Sharp was born in Uniontown, PA, attended Wheeling College and John Carroll University and received the Ph.D. degree from Texas A&M University in 1966. He conducted basic research in the area of applied nonlinear optics at the U. S. Army Night Vision & Electro-Optics Laboratory and the U. S. Army Research Laboratory. Presently he is working as a consultant on the use of infrared imaging equipment in novel application areas. His major areas of interest include laser crystal physics, thermal imaging materials and devices, electro-optic and nonlinear-optical processes in organic materials, beam-control devices, optical solitons, harmonic generation, optical processing, holographic storage, photorefractive effects in ferroelectric materials and the study of animal ecology using thermal imaging equipment. He is the author or co-author of more than 100 technical publications and holds over 15 patents on optical materials and devices. He is a member of the American Optical Society. Presently he has been working on new methods for using thermal imaging to address issues related to animal ecology and natural resource studies with faculty at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), College of William & Mary.
Affiliations and Expertise
Adjunct Faculty, Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), College of William & Mary, United States
Reviews
"...a valuable manual for biologists and resource managers interested in understanding and applying thermal imaging to current wildlife-related observation challenges...an excellent job of balancing technical information with figures, examples, and summaries of current knowledge and practice..." --The Quarterly Review of Biology