Last month, California Academy of Sciences researchers retrieved autonomous reef monitoring structures (ARMS) that had been in deep coral reefs near Guam for seven years. Exploration of the mesopelagic, or “twilight,” zone of the ocean had been limited to 15-minute dives due to the immense pressure at 300 feet below the surface.
The researchers collected data that would have been impossible if it weren’t for the stationary ARMS. They discovered 20 new species, and expanded the known range of more than 100 species. Thanks to their efforts, we also now have a seven-year temperature record in the mesopelagic zone.
Similarly, Michigan Tech is also putting significant effort into researching underwater ecosystems beyond the limits of direct observation. Tim Havens, director of MTU’s Great Lakes Research Center, is the principal investigator for an assessment of life in the Great Lakes for the U.S. Geological Survey. Using autonomous vehicles equipped with sensors and cameras, MTU researchers are documenting the habitats, spawning locations, population sizes, and feeding patterns of fish and invasive species. Havens shared that the team is also “developing AI algorithms capable of identifying and counting fish and mussels from underwater imagery.” The project is improving the scope and accuracy of underwater data collection.
Humans are not ocean dwellers, but we do have a remarkable ability to learn past our limitations. By using autonomous technologies, researchers are able to observe underwater ecosystems over a longer time, at lower depths, and over a greater area. These innovations are giving us insight into what was previously inaccessible.
