Find Rhinos without Finding Rhinos: Active Learning with Multimodal Imagery of South African Rhino Habitats (2409.18104v1)

Abstract: Much of Earth's charismatic megafauna is endangered by human activities, particularly the rhino, which is at risk of extinction due to the poaching crisis in Africa. Monitoring rhinos' movement is crucial to their protection but has unfortunately proven difficult because rhinos are elusive. Therefore, instead of tracking rhinos, we propose the novel approach of mapping communal defecation sites, called middens, which give information about rhinos' spatial behavior valuable to anti-poaching, management, and reintroduction efforts. This paper provides the first-ever mapping of rhino midden locations by building classifiers to detect them using remotely sensed thermal, RGB, and LiDAR imagery in passive and active learning settings. As existing active learning methods perform poorly due to the extreme class imbalance in our dataset, we design MultimodAL, an active learning system employing a ranking technique and multimodality to achieve competitive performance with passive learning models with 94% fewer labels. Our methods could therefore save over 76 hours in labeling time when used on a similarly-sized dataset. Unexpectedly, our midden map reveals that rhino middens are not randomly distributed throughout the landscape; rather, they are clustered. Consequently, rangers should be targeted at areas with high midden densities to strengthen anti-poaching efforts, in line with UN Target 15.7.

• The paper introduces an active learning method that leverages multimodal imagery to identify rhino habitats without explicitly detecting individual rhinos.
• It employs advanced training techniques to reduce manual annotation while improving habitat detection accuracy in challenging environments.
• The study demonstrates a promising approach for wildlife conservation by safeguarding sensitive location data from potential misuse.

Overview of IJCAI-23 Formatting Instructions

The subject paper constitutes a comprehensive guideline designed to standardize the submission format for the IJCAI-23 conference proceedings. It primarily addresses the technical specifications and stylistic requirements for paper submissions, encompassing both the initial submission and camera-ready versions.

Structural Guidelines

The document mandates that all submissions configure their electronic manuscripts in PDF format, suitably arranged for 8.5x11 inch pages. It provides detailed directives on the length of submissions, stipulating a strict limit of seven pages for main content, with a potential two additional pages allocated for sections such as references and acknowledgements. These limits may vary across different conference tracks, and the guidelines emphasize the importance of adhering to specific instructions as outlined in official communications or updates on the official proceedings submission website.

Formatting Styles

Emphasizing the uniformity and readability of manuscripts, the paper offers instructions on employing \LaTeX{} macros and Microsoft Word templates specifically designed for IJCAI submissions. These templates incorporate specific, precise page layout dimensions, dual-column text formatting, and precise margins. Authors must use the Times Roman font throughout their documents to ensure consistency across proceedings.

Distinction Between Submission and Camera-Ready Versions

The paper distinguishes between the requirements for anonymous submission and non-anonymous camera-ready versions. Anonymity is imperative for the review process in certain tracks, necessitating the exclusion of author information and any identifiable metadata. In contrast, camera-ready versions must remain non-anonymous, include definitive author affiliation, and may allow acknowledgements and contributions sections.

Recommendations for Manuscript Composition

The instructions underscore the importance of using specific heading levels for hierarchical clarity, incorporating numbered sections, and maintaining precise typography standards. Flow of content is meticulously directed, with guidelines on arranging sections, the inclusion of abstract, main text, appendices, and optional elements such as ethical statements, acknowledgements, and contribution statements.

Illustrative Content and Mathematical Notations

A key component of the formatting guide pertains to the appropriate handling of illustrations, tables, and formulae. Illustrations must be integrated within the text, adhering to formatting norms that facilitate quick reference and comprehension. The document delineates the proper styling for tabular information using enhanced table packages like booktabs for \LaTeX, which improve readability via enhanced stylistic features. An important note is provided on the handling of mathematical formulae to ensure clarity and consistency in appearance, forbidding reduction in font size for fitting equations within the allotted space, and instead advising splitting complex equations over multiple lines for better readability.

Conclusion and Implications

This formatting instruction document has significant implications for authors intending to submit their research to IJCAI-23, ensuring they adhere to a standardized structure which facilitates the peer-review process and subsequent dissemination of research. Beyond IJCAI-23, the adoption and adaptation of such comprehensive formatting guidelines can enhance the overall coherence and accessibility of academic conference proceedings internationally. Researchers must remain diligent in applying these format instructions not only to align with submission requirements but to contribute to the broader goals of accurate and replicable scientific communication. The evolution of such guidelines aligns with emerging best practices in academic publishing, inviting continued discourse on their applicability and effectiveness in an increasingly digital-first landscape.