Research Article 2026-04-21 under-review v1

Estimating biomass density in land-based cultivation of  Ulva spp. using a low cost RGB imaging system

J
Joost van Dalen Wageningen University & Research
J
Joseph Peller Wageningen University & Research
R
Reindert Wieger Nauta Wageningen University & Research

Abstract

Seaweed cultivation faces scalability challenges due to labor-intensive biomass monitoring. Here, we demonstrate a low cost RGB imaging system for Ulva spp biomass estimation (0.5-5.0 g L−1  ) in land-based raceways. Using a gener- alized segmentation model, we extracted area and color features as predictors for linear and log-linear regressions. Surface area proved the strongest predictor (R2 = 0.99, p = <.001, RMSE = 0.18 g L−1  ), with log-linear models outper- forming linear regressions (R2 = 0.88, p = <.001, RMSE = 0.50 g L−1  ) in per revolution analysis. Aggregating frame-level data into three-minute revolutions reduced segmentation errors and accounted for random seaweed distribution, enabling accurate biomass density predictions. This accessible, scalable approach offers a practical solution to reduce labor costs and optimize yields in precision aquaculture.

Citation Information

@article{joostvandalen2026,
  title={Estimating biomass density in land-based cultivation of  Ulva spp. using a low cost RGB imaging system},
  author={Joost van Dalen and Joseph Peller and Reindert Wieger Nauta},
  journal={Journal of Applied Phycology},
  year={2026},
  doi={https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9279578/v1}
}
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