Towed Video-Diver: A Useful Low-Cost Tool for Rapid Benthic Mapping and Biodiversity Monitoring

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript presents an interesting methodology for mapping and analyzing marine ecosystems in a challenging environment using a diver-operated towboard and video transects. However, some sections require more clarity and additional explanations to enhance the scientific rigor and reproducibility of the study.

@ Was there any other reason for choosing Arredondo Bay apart from logistical feasibility? Does this bay holds unique ecological or conservation features? 

@ In thew manuscript please include alternative options that can be used beside PARALENZ.  

@ The authors need to add more description on towboard design, information like dimensions, material specifications, or a schematic diagram are missing.

@ The accuracy of GPS synchronization especially in complex environments should be discussed.

@ The manuscript lacks recent discussion on ecological informatics, I will appreciate if they include discussion on Ai perspective as well. They can refer to "The Convergence of AI and animal-inspired robots for ecological conservation" and "Hybrid Intelligence for Marine Biodiversity: Integrating Citizen Science with AI for Enhanced Intertidal Conservation Efforts at Cape Santiago, Taiwan". Enhance your references with recent papers and carry out a strong discussion.

@ The manuscript should include separate conclusion section.

 

Author Response

1. Summary

Thank you for dedicating your time to reviewing this manuscript. Below, you will find detailed responses to your comments, with the corresponding revisions and corrections clearly highlighted in the re-submitted files using track changes.

 

2. Point-by-point response to Comments and Suggestions for Authors

 

Comments 1: Was there any other reason for choosing Arredondo Bay apart from logistical feasibility? Does this bay holds unique ecological or conservation features? 

Response 1: The following information has been added:“The site was selected for its suitability for mapping the entire area with the chosen method, its challenging access, which makes it impractical to map using other large-scale methodologies (not suitable for large vessels), and its historical significance as one of the key wave-protected bays in southern Chubut for Gracilaria sp. extraction, along with Bustamante Bay and Caleta Malaspina [31]. Since 1995, Gracilaria sp. populations in these areas have experienced a drastic decline in beachcast quantities, reaching nearly zero by 2000 [32]. Now located within a national park, Arredondo Bay holds considerable conservation value and is a focal point for Gracilaria sp. repopulation initiatives.”. This addition emphasizes the rationale behind site selection, incorporating both logistical and ecological considerations.

 

Comments 2:  In the manuscript please include alternative options that can be used beside PARALENZ. 

Response 2: Thank you for your suggestion. We have addressed this by adding alternative options for video cameras in the revised manuscript (lines 135–138). Specifically, we included a reference to the widely used GoProⓇ HERO models, highlighting their versatility, durability, and high-resolution video capabilities, as well as the possibility of mounting additional sensors on the towboard if environmental data such as depth or temperature is required.

 

Comments 3: The authors need to add more description on towboard design, information like dimensions, material specifications, or a schematic diagram are missing.

Response 3: Thank you for your feedback. We have added the detailed information on the towboard design, including dimensions, material specifications, and a schematic diagram, in the supplementary materials. This should provide a clearer understanding of the design for the readers.

Comments 4: The accuracy of GPS synchronization especially in complex environments should be discussed.

Response 4: Thank you for your comment regarding the accuracy of GPS synchronization in complex environments. We have addressed this concern by incorporating the following text into the Materials and Methods section of the manuscript: “The GPS unit used in this study is a handheld device that relies solely on satellite signals for positioning, without the use of differential correction systems. Under standard conditions, this device has a typical horizontal accuracy of approximately ±3.65 m. However, certain environmental factors can influence this accuracy. For instance, in areas with limited satellite visibility, such as narrow channels or regions with tall cliffs, or in locations where atmospheric conditions interfere with signal quality, the positioning error may increase [33,34]. These limitations are inherent to handheld GPS units. Nevertheless, for the scale of the mapping conducted in this study, an error of approximately 4 meters is not critical and remains acceptable for generating reliable large-scale maps of substrate types and marine organism distributions.”

This additional explanation should address the concern about GPS synchronization accuracy and its potential limitations in complex environments.

 

Comments 5: The manuscript lacks recent discussion on ecological informatics, I will appreciate if they include discussion on Ai perspective as well. They can refer to "The Convergence of AI and animal-inspired robots for ecological conservation" and "Hybrid Intelligence for Marine Biodiversity: Integrating Citizen Science with AI for Enhanced Intertidal Conservation Efforts at Cape Santiago, Taiwan". Enhance your references with recent papers and carry out a strong discussion.

Response 5: Thank you for your insightful suggestion regarding the inclusion of recent discussions on ecological informatics and AI perspectives. In response, we have incorporated a section addressing the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance monitoring efforts. Specifically, we have highlighted how AI can accelerate the detection and identification of taxa in video footage, improving both efficiency and cost-effectiveness for monitoring programs across broader spatial and temporal scales. For example, González-Rivero et al. [25] demonstrated that automated processing of image-based data from coral reefs using machine learning technologies resulted in a 99% cost reduction and a 200-fold increase in processing speed compared to traditional methods. This addition aims to provide a stronger discussion on the convergence of AI and ecological monitoring, aligned with your suggestion.

 

Comments 6:  The manuscript should include separate conclusion section.

Response 6:  we included a conclusion section:
“In the context of SDG 14, where increasing scientific knowledge is paramount, refining techniques like the Towed Video-Diver Technique (TVD) offers significant potential for enhancing the monitoring of larger coastal areas. This method increases the capacity to detect critical changes such as species loss, range shifts or the spread of invasive species. While ensuring that monitoring methods produce high-quality data is essential, it is equally important that data collection remains accessible and does not depend on large-scale infrastructure. The TVD method, relying on basic equipment commonly available in MPAs (small boats, diving gear, and video cameras), provides a practical and scalable solution for long-term monitoring. The TVD method could provide local managers and researchers with the means to monitor ecological changes effectively, enabling informed decision-making and prompt conservation actions to safeguard marine ecosystems. While the method is limited to shallow areas and locations where navigation with small boats is feasible, the TVD is highly versatile and can be applied across a wide range of coastal zones.”

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper "Towed Video-Diver: a useful low-cost tool for rapid benthic mapping and biodiversity monitoring" is well written, clear and comprehensive. It is interesting and useful not only to people that deals with habitat mapping/biodiversity monitoring in MPAs but also to wider audience. However there are some small things that could be improved:

Line 20 in Abstract 28 taxa not 27

Keywords: please add word "software" in front of BIIGLE, please put words "simplified taxonomic categories" and then CATAMI in the brackets

Lines 156-158 (in Materials and Methods section) - please add sentence or two about the CATAMI method, needed for readers that are not familiar with this concept

Line 167 remove one dot after sp.

Line 173 orientation of sub-chapter title should be on the left (now is justified

Figure 4. graphical presentation of various taxa presence can hardly been seen. Please use some other vivid (contrast) color (e.g. blue or green) or/and enlarge the Figure (fit it on the whole page). This figure is very important and it deserve such approach.

Line 328 dot missing in sp

Lines 331 and 338 - please for the sake of consistency put Arredondo Bay instead of Bahia Arredondo

Line 366 remove space between word managers and comma

 

Author Response

1. Summary

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. Please find the detailed responses below and the corresponding revisions/corrections highlighted/in track changes in the re-submitted files. 

 

2. Point-by-point response to Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Comments 1: Line 20 in Abstract 28 taxa not 27

Response 1: Thank you for pointing this out, we changed the taxa number to 28.

 

Comments 2: Keywords: please add word "software" in front of BIIGLE, please put words "simplified taxonomic categories" and then CATAMI in the brackets.

Response 2: We have made the requested changes to the Keywords section. Thank you for the suggestion to improve clarity.

 

Comments 3: Lines 156-158 (in Materials and Methods section) - please add sentence or two about the CATAMI method, needed for readers that are not familiar with this concept

Response 3: Thank you for your feedback. We have added the following sentences in lines 160-167 of the Materials and Methods section to address your comment:

'The CATAMI classification scheme is a standardized framework developed to annotate categories of benthic substrates and biota in marine imagery. Its versatility allows it to be applied across various image collection methods, annotation platforms, and scoring techniques. CATAMI is well-documented, regularly updated, and maintained to ensure consistency and reliability in benthic classification, promoting data sharing and enabling comparison across diverse research efforts and platforms.'"

 

Comments 4: Line 167 remove one dot after sp.

Response 4: Thank you for pointing this out, we removed the extra dot.

 

Comments 5: Line 173 orientation of sub-chapter title should be on the left (now is justified

Response 5: Thank you for pointing this out, we reorder the subtitle “2.4. Mapping Production” format.

 

Comments 6: Figure 4. graphical presentation of various taxa presence can hardly been seen. Please use some other vivid (contrast) color (e.g. blue or green) or/and enlarge the Figure (fit it on the whole page). This figure is very important and it deserve such approach.

Response 6: Green dots were added and the figure was fit on the whole page. 

 

Comments 7: Line 328 dot missing in sp

Response 7: Thank you for pointing this out, we added the missing dot.

 

Comments 8: Lines 331 and 338 - please for the sake of consistency put Arredondo Bay instead of Bahia Arredondo

Response 8: Done, thank you for pointing this out.

 

Comments 9: Line 366 remove space between word managers and comma.

Response 9: Done, thank you for pointing this out.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Thanks for addressing the comments.