Thermal Imaging Techniques to Survey and Monitor Animals in the Wild

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.

• 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

field biologists, resource managers, wildlife researchers, agricultural researchers

• 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