The R/V Sallenger tows the structure-from-motion quantitative underwater imaging device with 5 cameras (SQUID-5) across the water over Looe Key Reef in the Florida Keys.
David Zawada, Ph.D.
David Zawada is a Research Oceanographer at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Dr. Zawada is a research oceanographer specializing in underwater imaging and seafloor elevation change.
Science and Products
Remote Sensing Coastal Change
We use remote-sensing technologies—such as aerial photography, satellite imagery, structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry, and lidar (laser-based surveying)—to measure coastal change along U.S. shorelines.
SQUID-5 camera system
The SQUID-5 is a S tructure-from-Motion Q uantitative U nderwater I maging D evice with 5 cameras.
Fine-scale Benthic Habitat Mapping
Both ATRIS configurations were deployed in Dry Tortugas National Park (DRTO) to fill information gaps in the spatial coverage of existing habitat maps.
Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CREST)
The specific objectives of this project are to identify and describe the processes that are important in determining rates of coral-reef construction. How quickly the skeletons of calcifying organisms accumulate to form massive barrier-reef structure is determined by processes of both construction (how fast organisms grow and reproduce) and destruction (how fast reefs break down by mechanical...
Applications of Coral Fluorescence
Fluorescence is an often overlooked property of reef-building corals that can improve the classification of reef habitats from imagery and provide diagnostic information on corals.
Modeling Seafloor Structural Complexity
This effort focused on understanding the patterns and scalability of roughness and topographic complexity of marine habitats, such as coral reefs.
Along-Track Reef Imaging System (ATRIS)
ATRIS is a benthic-survey tool that simultaneously acquires geo-located, color, digital images with corresponding water depths.
Advanced Remote Sensing Methods for Coastal Science and Management
This project focused on developing algorithms for quantifying benthic habitat complexity from images, modeling the structural complexity of the seafloor, and using fluorescence signatures to classify coral reef habitats.
R/V Sallenger Tows SQUID-5 for 3D Seafloor Mapping
The R/V Sallenger tows the structure-from-motion quantitative underwater imaging device with 5 cameras (SQUID-5) across the water over Looe Key Reef in the Florida Keys.
R/V Sallenger tows SQUID-5 near Looe Key
The SQUID-5 system is pulled behind the USGS research vessel the R/V Sallenger near Looe Key. The SQUID-5 is taking images of the seafloor which will be made into 3-dimensional models.
The SQUID-5 system is pulled behind the USGS research vessel the R/V Sallenger near Looe Key. The SQUID-5 is taking images of the seafloor which will be made into 3-dimensional models.
Studying Seafloor Erosion in the Florida Keys
Studying Seafloor Erosion in the Florida Keys
The challenge:
Studying Seafloor Erosion in the Florida Keys
The challenge:
SQUID-5 test near the St. Pete Pier
The SQUID-5, or Structure-from-motion (SfM) Quantitative Underwater Imaging Device with 5 cameras test in Tampa Bay.
The SQUID-5, or Structure-from-motion (SfM) Quantitative Underwater Imaging Device with 5 cameras test in Tampa Bay.
SQUID-5 deployment in Tampa Bay
The SQUID-5, or Structure-from-motion (SfM) Quantitative Underwater Imaging Device with 5 cameras, being deployed by Mitch Lemon (SPCMSC, on the left) and Gerry Hatcher (PCMSC, on the right) in Tampa Bay for testing.
The SQUID-5, or Structure-from-motion (SfM) Quantitative Underwater Imaging Device with 5 cameras, being deployed by Mitch Lemon (SPCMSC, on the left) and Gerry Hatcher (PCMSC, on the right) in Tampa Bay for testing.
Gerry Hatcher controls SQUID-5
Gerry Hatcher controls SQUID-5 image acquisition over Looe Key Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA).
Gerry Hatcher controls SQUID-5 image acquisition over Looe Key Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA).
Two views of Long Beach at Big Pine Key, Florida
Top: Big Bay along the Long Beach trail, looking east along the Long Beach trail on Big Pine Key, Florida (FL). Note the angled shape of the vegetation caused by salt pruning from the prevailing sea breeze. Bottom: Red mangrove on the Long Beach trail, looking east along Long Beach trail on Big Pine Key, FL. Red mangroves provide critical coastal protection.
Top: Big Bay along the Long Beach trail, looking east along the Long Beach trail on Big Pine Key, Florida (FL). Note the angled shape of the vegetation caused by salt pruning from the prevailing sea breeze. Bottom: Red mangrove on the Long Beach trail, looking east along Long Beach trail on Big Pine Key, FL. Red mangroves provide critical coastal protection.
Science and Products
Remote Sensing Coastal Change
We use remote-sensing technologies—such as aerial photography, satellite imagery, structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry, and lidar (laser-based surveying)—to measure coastal change along U.S. shorelines.
SQUID-5 camera system
The SQUID-5 is a S tructure-from-Motion Q uantitative U nderwater I maging D evice with 5 cameras.
Fine-scale Benthic Habitat Mapping
Both ATRIS configurations were deployed in Dry Tortugas National Park (DRTO) to fill information gaps in the spatial coverage of existing habitat maps.
Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CREST)
The specific objectives of this project are to identify and describe the processes that are important in determining rates of coral-reef construction. How quickly the skeletons of calcifying organisms accumulate to form massive barrier-reef structure is determined by processes of both construction (how fast organisms grow and reproduce) and destruction (how fast reefs break down by mechanical...
Applications of Coral Fluorescence
Fluorescence is an often overlooked property of reef-building corals that can improve the classification of reef habitats from imagery and provide diagnostic information on corals.
Modeling Seafloor Structural Complexity
This effort focused on understanding the patterns and scalability of roughness and topographic complexity of marine habitats, such as coral reefs.
Along-Track Reef Imaging System (ATRIS)
ATRIS is a benthic-survey tool that simultaneously acquires geo-located, color, digital images with corresponding water depths.
Advanced Remote Sensing Methods for Coastal Science and Management
This project focused on developing algorithms for quantifying benthic habitat complexity from images, modeling the structural complexity of the seafloor, and using fluorescence signatures to classify coral reef habitats.
R/V Sallenger Tows SQUID-5 for 3D Seafloor Mapping
The R/V Sallenger tows the structure-from-motion quantitative underwater imaging device with 5 cameras (SQUID-5) across the water over Looe Key Reef in the Florida Keys.
The R/V Sallenger tows the structure-from-motion quantitative underwater imaging device with 5 cameras (SQUID-5) across the water over Looe Key Reef in the Florida Keys.
R/V Sallenger tows SQUID-5 near Looe Key
The SQUID-5 system is pulled behind the USGS research vessel the R/V Sallenger near Looe Key. The SQUID-5 is taking images of the seafloor which will be made into 3-dimensional models.
The SQUID-5 system is pulled behind the USGS research vessel the R/V Sallenger near Looe Key. The SQUID-5 is taking images of the seafloor which will be made into 3-dimensional models.
Studying Seafloor Erosion in the Florida Keys
Studying Seafloor Erosion in the Florida Keys
The challenge:
Studying Seafloor Erosion in the Florida Keys
The challenge:
SQUID-5 test near the St. Pete Pier
The SQUID-5, or Structure-from-motion (SfM) Quantitative Underwater Imaging Device with 5 cameras test in Tampa Bay.
The SQUID-5, or Structure-from-motion (SfM) Quantitative Underwater Imaging Device with 5 cameras test in Tampa Bay.
SQUID-5 deployment in Tampa Bay
The SQUID-5, or Structure-from-motion (SfM) Quantitative Underwater Imaging Device with 5 cameras, being deployed by Mitch Lemon (SPCMSC, on the left) and Gerry Hatcher (PCMSC, on the right) in Tampa Bay for testing.
The SQUID-5, or Structure-from-motion (SfM) Quantitative Underwater Imaging Device with 5 cameras, being deployed by Mitch Lemon (SPCMSC, on the left) and Gerry Hatcher (PCMSC, on the right) in Tampa Bay for testing.
Gerry Hatcher controls SQUID-5
Gerry Hatcher controls SQUID-5 image acquisition over Looe Key Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA).
Gerry Hatcher controls SQUID-5 image acquisition over Looe Key Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA).
Two views of Long Beach at Big Pine Key, Florida
Top: Big Bay along the Long Beach trail, looking east along the Long Beach trail on Big Pine Key, Florida (FL). Note the angled shape of the vegetation caused by salt pruning from the prevailing sea breeze. Bottom: Red mangrove on the Long Beach trail, looking east along Long Beach trail on Big Pine Key, FL. Red mangroves provide critical coastal protection.
Top: Big Bay along the Long Beach trail, looking east along the Long Beach trail on Big Pine Key, Florida (FL). Note the angled shape of the vegetation caused by salt pruning from the prevailing sea breeze. Bottom: Red mangrove on the Long Beach trail, looking east along Long Beach trail on Big Pine Key, FL. Red mangroves provide critical coastal protection.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government