CorStitch: Accessible Video Stitching for Coral Monitoring

Abstract

We develop CorStitch, a video-stitching software that automates the process of stitching underwater videos for coral reef monitoring and assessment. It offers a free, flexible, and user-friendly alternative to existing stitching software that may be difficult to access. CorStitch utilizes a Fourier-based image registration algorithm to stitch the central horizontal strips of successive frames of down-looking belt and dive transect videos, generating georeferenced and marked mosaics. Tests show that CorStitch can produce high-quality mosaics that are comparable to those generated by existing stitching software, with the added advantage of being open-source and accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise. CorStitch has the potential to supplement the coral reef monitoring efforts of local communities, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations.