Enhancement Method Based on Multi-Strategy Improved Pelican Optimization Algorithm and Application to Low-Illumination Forest Canopy Images

Enhancement is a crucial step in the field of image processing, as it significantly improves image analysis and understanding. One of the most commonly used methods for image contrast enhancement is the incomplete beta function (IBF). However, the key challenge lies in determining the optimal parameters for the IBF. This paper introduces a multi-strategy improved pelican optimization algorithm (MIPOA) to address the low-illumination color image enhancement problem. The MIPOA algorithm utilizes a nonlinear decreasing coefficient to boost the exploration ability and convergence speed, whereas the Hardy–Weinberg principle compensates for the unsound exploitation mechanism. Additionally, the diversity variation operation improves the ability of the algorithm to escape local optimal solutions. The performance of the proposed MIPOA algorithm was evaluated using a benchmark function and was found to outperform five variant algorithms in extensive comparisons. To further harness the potential of the MIPOA algorithm, the authors propose a low-light forest canopy image enhancement method based on the MIPOA algorithm. The MIPOA algorithm searches for the optimal parameters of the IBF, leading to fast contrast enhancement of the image. The segmented gamma correction function is designed to enhance the brightness of the low-light forest canopy images. In determining the optimal parameters of IBF, the MIPOA algorithm demonstrates superior performance compared to other intelligent algorithms in the feature similarity index (FSIM), entropy, and contrast improvement index (CII) of 75%, 58.33%, and 75%, respectively. The proposed MIPOA-based enhancement method achieves a moderate pixel mean and surpasses the conventional enhancement method with an average gradient of 91.67%. The experimental results indicate that the MIPOA effectively addresses the limitations of low optimization accuracy in IBF parameters, and the enhancement method based on the MIPOA provides a more efficacious approach for enhancing low-light forest canopy images.