The Watershed Transform: Definitions, Algorithms and Parallelization Strategies

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Roerdink, Jos B.T.M. | Meijster, Arnold

Affiliations: Institute for Mathematics and Computing Science, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 800, 9700 AV Groningen, The Netherlands. Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Institute for Mathematics and Computing Science, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 800, 9700 AV Groningen, The Netherlands

Abstract: The watershed transform is the method of choice for image segmentation in the field of mathematical morphology. We present a critical review of several definitions of the watershed transform and the associated sequential algorithms, and discuss various issues which often cause confusion in the literature. The need to distinguish between definition, algorithm specification and algorithm implementation is pointed out. Various examples are given which illustrate differences between watershed transforms based on different definitions and/or implementations. The second part of the paper surveys approaches for parallel implementation of sequential watershed algorithms.

Keywords: mathematical morphology, parallel implementation, sequential algorithms, watershed definition, watershed transform

DOI: 10.3233/FI-2000-411207

Journal: Fundamenta Informaticae, vol. 41, no. 1-2, pp. 187-228, 2000