Current research: prawns in space

Current research

2. Vision and remote sensing: using nature's technology to examine the health of the great barrier reef and moreton bay (prawns in space)

Tasks such as discriminating young from old leaves, vegetation from mud, living from dead coral and spotting the presence of a fish against varied backgrounds are solved as a matter of course every day by animal visual systems. These jobs for vision are important for survival and as a result have become exquisitely tuned through the process of evolution.

The above mentioned tasks are also examples of visual problems that man is attempting to solve in the field of remote sensing. There are many common problems for visual scientists and remote sensing researchers, with natural solutions to remote sensing problems remaining a considerable yet untapped resource.

We will develop the relationship between visual tasks and remote sensing in the context of two key environments - the Great Barrier Reef (below) and Moreton Bay (right). Both environments are critical natural resources and are under substantial threat from human impacts.

The innovations ensuing from this marriage of disciplines, and the combined efforts of six academic groups from two universities - University of Queensland and Australian National University - and two industry partners, will provide exciting new tools for environmental monitoring in Australia and globally.

Click here to download the original project details. Industry pertners have now changed to Moreton Bay Waterways and Catchments Partnership and Deep Ocean Expeditions.