H-46 



RESEARCH PROGRAMMES 



in this respect that one member of the Group of Specialists (S. Z. El-Sayed) is also a member of 

 the CZCS NIMBUS-G Experiment Team. 



2. Krill. 



The activity of euphausiid swarms produces a long-lasting luminescence, and will probably 

 be detectable by Low Light Level Television. The images from such sensors may be stored on 

 videotape for later processing. Thus, the night-time aerial/acoustic method of abundance 

 estimation which has been developed for pilchard (Cram and Hampton, 1976) may be 

 appUcable to that part of the krill population occurring near the surface in ice-free areas where 

 sufficient darkness can be expected. 



Alternatively, if the visibihty of shoals is adequate, the numerous daylight photographic 

 and spectro-radiometric techniques reviewed by Benigno (1970) miglit also be highly suitable. 

 Krill swarms have been recorded to have colour characteristics ranging from brilliant red to 

 ochre and yellow. Such variation in colour probably indicates differing biological character- 

 istics; hence, for successful identification with remote sensing, baseline work is needed to 

 interpret the relationship between colour and biology of the species. 



3. Birds and mammals. 



This group is most visible on the surface of ice or on land but less conspicuous when 

 swimming in the water. Each group and/or species have characteristics which make them unique 

 when considering remote sensing applications. The penguins congregate on rookeries to breed 

 and nest. During this time their density is high, and concentrations of over 100 000 animals are 

 found. However, the seals of the region rarely concentrate in large numbers and are usually 

 distributed in small groups. Exceptions are the WeddeU, Elephant and Fur seals, which 

 congregate yearly to breed. 



It appears that the cunent instrumentation of satelHtes is of Umited use for the direct 

 sensing of vertebrates of the region because its resolution is limited. The vertebrates individually 

 or in concentrations are probably of insufficient size and show insufficient contrast in 

 emissivity to be detailed by present satellite instrumentation. Thus, aircraft sensors will 

 probably be needed. The current aircraft which are available are limited in range; consequently, 

 such surveys may present a difficult task. 



4. Land, ice, or sea-based sensors. 



Another type of remote sensing that may be particularly important is the use of remote 

 sensors placed at the surface, which allows information to be transferred to ground base or 

 sateUite base data systems. This capability would be extremely valuable in the Southern Ocean, 

 where access during the winter months is nearly impossible. Static platforms could be located in 

 coastal regions with links to sensing systems in the water; alternatively, drifting sensing systems 

 could be set adrift in the pack ice regions to monitor physical and biological parameters, as well 

 as to pick up acoustical indications of seals, whales, and penguins. 



In summary, the need for remote sensing in the Antarctic regions varies considerably 

 depending on the species involved and the particular problem under study. However, it is clear 

 that if we are going to evaluate and monitor successfully the biological resources of the 

 Southern Ocean, it is essential; (a) to look to these techniques in the future, and (b) to begin to 

 develop them now so that they may be adapted to the problems and situations unique to 

 species of the Southern Ocean. 



2.10.3 Research programmes 



I. Existing and near future sateUite data and instrumentation. 



LANDSAT 1 has obtained three and one-half years of data on ocean turbidity which could 

 be utilized in any pre-operational study. LANDSAT 2 was launched in 1975 and is working 

 with much the same capabilities as LANDSAT 1. Unfortunately, the LANDSAT 1 imagery of 



