Research Technical Report

Sanctuary Characterization Image Display (SCID): closing the time-gap between data collection and dissemination

Wrubel, K.R., J.B. Lindholm, A. DeVogelaere, J. de Marignac, A. Knight, and J.L. Watson (November 2008)

Poster presentation at the Western Society of Naturalists Annual Meeting, November 6-9, 2008, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

ABSTRACT

The endeavor of science is founded on the timely dissemination of research results to the wider world. However, the reality of data processing and analysis time frequently impedes this timely dissemination. The implications of delayed reporting of scientific data are particularly acute where management agencies and policy-makers are anticipating the arrival of information to support environmental decision-making. Over the past three years (2006-2008) a new partnership between the Institute for Applied Marine Ecology (IfAME) at CSU Monterey Bay and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) has formed to use a towed camera sled to collect videographic data throughout the Sanctuary in support of Sanctuary site characterization efforts as well as MPA monitoring activities. Videographic data are analyzed post-cruise, along traditional scientific timelines to answer a variety of research questions. However using a programmable keyboard (X-Keys) at-sea, a courser set of data (1-min intervals) are collected in real time to provide summary data virtually immediately post-cruise. The Sanctuary Characterization Image Display (SCID), the web-based vehicle for the rapid dissemination of camera sled data, is intended to render the water column transparent for a broader public audience. A species matrix characterizes all fish and invertebrate taxa and seafloor habitat attributes observed by the camera sled and the web-interface provides these data via the web as a clickable map of video clips and frame grabs distributed across transects. Through we are closing the gap in the dissemination of scientific data.