Photogrammetry, from the Land to the Sea and Beyond: A Unifying Approach to Study Terrestrial and Marine Environments

Abstract

The series of technological advances that occurred over the past two decades allowed photogrammetry-based approaches to achieve their actual potential, giving birth to one of the most popular and applied procedures: structure from motion (SfM). The technique expanded rapidly to different environments, from the early ground-based and aerial applications in terrestrial scenarios, to underground and underwater surveys. Nevertheless, the transfer through different media required a period of adaptation that could take anything from years to decades. Only recently, thanks to the emergence of low-cost versatile imaging systems, have airborne and underwater photogrammetry became approachable to a wide range of research budgets, resulting in a popular cost-effective solution for many disciplines. Although numerous review efforts have already been made to resume the current knowledge on photogrammetry, this review summarizes the evolution of the technique in both terrestrial and underwater environments, paying special attention to the transfer of methods and techniques between the two environments. The acquired information helped to identify trends during its development and to highlight the urgency to widen the range of its applications in aquatic habitats in order to fill the current gap of knowledge on their structure and species distribution, delaying the design of proper conservation strategies.

An in situ digital synthesis strategy for the discovery and description of ocean life

“…The field of underwater imaging has seen substantial advancements in recent decades, notably the development of structured light technologies ( 13 , 44 , 45 ) capable of reconstructing 3D gelatinous structures of animals in their natural habitat ( 12 ). Coupled with newer processing approaches such as photogrammetry ( 46 , 47 ), these in situ imaging techniques allow complex studies of animal behavior and ecomechanics, enabling scientists to circumvent issues of structural integrity loss associated with biological fixation for long-term storage ( 12 , 48 ). These technologies also facilitate fine-scale measurements of morphological features and time-varying deformations, aiding research into locomotion and reproduction ( 49 , 50 ).…”

Underwater Cultural Heritage Documentation Using Photogrammetry

“…From a geomatics point of view, the presence of a water medium and the related additional drawbacks complicate scientific work as compared to the terrestrial field. Yet, Pulido Mantas et al [16] advocates for a unified approach, transcending land and sea boundaries, demonstrating the versatility of photogrammetry in studying diverse environments.…”

Structure from Motion Photogrammetry as an Effective Nondestructive Technique to Monitor Morphological Plasticity in Benthic Organisms: The Case Study of Sarcotragus foetidus Schmidt, 1862 (Porifera, Demospongiae) in the Portofino MPA

“…Current methods mainly record two-dimensional (2D) metrics (e.g., planar projection photography), e.g., [9,12,16], even though sponges often present complex three-dimensional (3D) structures [13]. Recently, technological and methodological advancements are helping to develop new techniques to capture 3D features in underwater environments [17]. While earlier 3D imaging methods, such as stereo-photogrammetry, required dual-camera equipment and technical expertise for their implementation [18], the increase in computational power along with the advancements in computer vision algorithms have resulted in the development of Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, one of the most popular modern procedures [17].…”

“…Recently, technological and methodological advancements are helping to develop new techniques to capture 3D features in underwater environments [17]. While earlier 3D imaging methods, such as stereo-photogrammetry, required dual-camera equipment and technical expertise for their implementation [18], the increase in computational power along with the advancements in computer vision algorithms have resulted in the development of Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, one of the most popular modern procedures [17]. This technique can be applied using a single camera, allowing accurate 3D digital reconstructions from a series of overlapping images [13].…”