Abstract:
Acoustic visualization combines the techniques of acoustic remote sensing and scientific data visualization. It provides scientists with the means for interactively exploring three-dimensional data sets collected with conventional acoustic survey methods. Here, investigations are described in which acoustic visualization has provided new insights into the volumetric distribution of zooplankton sound scattering in the ocean. The presentation will document the steps involved with survey design as well as data analysis and interpretation. It will focus on attempts to derive quantitative, objective inferences from sparse, irregularly spaced data collected during acoustic surveys of patchily distributed zooplankton. [Work supported by NOAA, NSF, and ONR.]