Bio-Applied Systems Engineering: Projects

Our work in this area focuses upon hardware and software-based solutions to problems in ecology and entomology. Of particular interest is the development of computer-aided taxonomy tools for automated identification of species using bioacoustic signal processing, image processing and other techniques. Current research is aimed at developing tools for biodiversity informatics, tools for rapid detection of quarantine taxa (insects and plant pathogens) and hand-held species identification systems. Other research projects include automated identification of urban soundscapes in three dimensions, acoustic identification of vehicles and the development of biotelemetry systems.

	Acoustic Detection of Quarantine Insects Members: James Schofield, Dave Chesmore With increasing global trade the risk of accidental introduction of non-native species is greater than ever. Such invasions can have a major impact both environmentally and economically; therefore action must be taken to prevent the introduction of such pests when importing goods. Estimates place the annual cost of invasive species in the United States at over $140 billion. The aim of this project is to develop a system to aid the work of Defra Plant Health & Seeds Inspectors (PHSI) in detecting non-native species within goods imported into the country. The system is intended to perform non-invasive real-time automated detection and classification of insect larvae in hard wood by utilising sounds produced as the larvae eat. This work is in collaboration with Central Science Laboratory, York. read more...
	Automated Acoustic Detection and Recognition of Moving Vehicles Members: Naoko Evans, Dave Chesmore Automated acoustic vehicle recognition has been studied in relation to various practical application areas such as; surveillance for security purposes, traffic monitoring and/or control as well as road planning, and also automated driver assistance systems, etc. Although the future goal of the project would be to develop a vehicle recognition system that employs multiple sensors in order to achieve a high accuracy, so far the work at University of York has concentrated on using acoustic and seismic sensors. read more...
	Automated Identification of Insects using Image Processing Members: Dave Chesmore, Jing Dai There is a serious and increasing taxonomic impediment caused primarily by a lack of trained taxonomists. Computer aided taxonomy (CAT) is one possible way of solving the problem by speeding up and partially automating the identification of taxa. The work described in this thesis develops a new CAT technique which performs semi-automated identification of two groups of insects: hoverflies and bumblebees using images of their wings. A series of image processing algorithms have been designed to extract high quality venation diagrams via a user-friendly software package. read more...
	Bioacoustic Identification of Animals Members: Dave Chesmore The identification of species is of paramount importance for ecological studies such as habitat fragmentation, bioindicator studies and biodiversity assessment. At present, surveys are carried out manually, are time consuming and rely on the surveyor’s expertise. This research aims to develop automated identification tools for calling animals, insects and birds using novel time domain signal analysis and artificial neural network classifiers. Research is concentrating on British Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets and bush-crickets), Japanese Cicadas, Japanese birds, Japanese amphibia and British bats. Tools under development include hand-held identifiers and field deployable devices capable of continuous long term recognition. A new project on the identification of British and European bats will start in January 2009. Details will be added when the project starts.
	Instrument for Soundscape Recognition, Identification and Evaluation Members: Oliver Bunting, Jon Stammers, Dave Chesmore The predominate metric for soundscape measurement is the A-weighted sound pressure level measured at a point. This metric has been used since the earliest sound level meters. As a consequence, most legislative noise controls are now defined using A-weighted sound, averaged over long time periods. However, the existing system has limitations. Noise is a subjective issue, with people prefering some sounds over others. The current A-weighted metric is completely unable to distinguish between different sources, and so cannot weight them according to whether they are deemed 'good' or 'bad'. Another failure of the time averaged A-weighted metric is it insensitivity to short duration loud events, such as low flying aircraft, which may cause great annoyance, but barely affect averaged noise levels. The aim of the ISRIE project is to develop an instrument capable of separating out sound components from within a soundfield, and automatically classifying them. read more...
	Light Pollution Modelling and Lightscape Analysis Members: Dave Chesmore Light pollution has increasingly become a problem in urban areas and is now spreading into rural areas. Light pollution in the form of cloud glow and direct high intensity light sources are thought to have increasing impacts on wildlife with effects ranging from interruption to nocturnal migrating birds to behavioural changes. This research is developing methods for modelling cloud glow in 2 and 3 dimensions and will expand to develop imaging monitors for model verification and accurate real-time determination of cloud glow. Another aspect of this work will involve individual-based modelling of nocturnal insects (especially moths) and their response to local and remote light pollution.
	Management of Mesoscale Bioacoustic Sensor Networks for Early Detection of Invasive Insect Pests Members: Hongkun Sun, Dave Chesmore Invasions of insect pests such as locusts can be devastating in both economic and human costs in the parts of the world where they occur. This is a one year project to investigate the concept of large scale (100’s of square km) sensor networks based on acoustic species detection and identification for early detection of species invasions. The project will concentrate on the issues relating to enabling technology and enhancing integrated pest management (IPM) in China.
	Non-Invasive Stress Monitoring System for Farm Animals using Radio Telemetry Members: David Chesmore, Derek CS Yoon Changes in body temperature and heart rate of farm animals can indicate stress and inadequate thermal environment, particularly during transport. Conventional methods of measuring these parameters have been through surgically implanted sensors into the animals which is not practical in daily transportation usage. The aim of this project is to design and develop a miniature non-invasive biotelemetry sensor that can be placed in the ear canal of pigs to measure the heart rate and body temperature. read more...