Creatures of the Deep

A Dual Camera System for Tracking Aquatic Organisms’ Behaviour

Living by water characterises the development of civilisations since ancient times. Water, enveloping 71% of the Earth’s surface, sustains a diverse range of aquatic life, harbours the enigmas of life’s beginnings, and chronicles environmental transformations and ecological rhythms across time. Today, access to clean drinking water stands as pivotal for human wellbeing, enhancing livelihoods and advancing progress. Aquatic organisms serve as a lens into the aquatic world, offering glimpses into animal behaviour and ecology. This helps reveal the complex interplays between organisms and their surroundings, unveiling how they adapt to and shape their environments. With technological advancements, scientists now employ advanced behavioural tracking tools to scrutinise these dynamics. Led by Professor Ke Wei from the Faculty of Applied Sciences, PhD students Wu Zewei, Wang Cui and Zhang Wei in Computer Applied Technology collaborated with researchers from Beihang University and Beijing Forestry University. This collaborative effort culminated in the creation of a cutting-edge dual-camera system designed to monitor the actions of aquatic organisms in a real-time, three-dimensional setting. This system facilitates comprehensive collection of data on aquatic animal behaviour, laying a robust groundwork for advancing research in ecological preservation and environmental stewardship.