Integrating field data with high spatial resolution multispectral satellite imagery for calibration and validation of coral reef benthic community maps

Chris M. Roelfsema; Stuart R. Phinn

doi:10.1117/1.3430107

1 April 2010 Integrating field data with high spatial resolution multispectral satellite imagery for calibration and validation of coral reef benthic community maps

Chris M. Roelfsema, Stuart R. Phinn

Author Affiliations +

Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, Vol. 4, Issue 1, 043527 (April 2010). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3430107

Abstract

Our ability to map coral reef environments using remote sensing has increased through improved access to: satellite images and field survey data at suitable spatial scales, and software enabling the integration of data sources. These data sets can be used to provide validated maps to support science and management decisions. The objective of this paper was to compare two methods for calibrating and validating maps of coral reef benthic communities derived from satellite images captured over a variety of Coral Reefs The two methods for collecting georeferenced benthic field data were: 1), georeferenced photo transects and 2), spot checks. Quickbird imagery was acquired for three Fijian coral reef environments in: Suva, Navakavu and Solo. These environments had variable water clarity and spatial complexity of benthic cover composition. The two field data sets at each reef were each split, and half were used for training data sets for supervised classifications, and the other half for accuracy assessment. This resulted in two maps of benthic communities with associated mapping accuracies, production times and costs for each study-site. Analyses of the spatial patterns in benthic community maps and their Overall and Tau accuracies revealed that for spatially complex habitats, the maps produced from photo transect data were twice as accurate as spot check based maps. In the context of the reefs examined, our results showed that the photo- transect method was a robust procedure which could be used in a range of coral reef environments to map the benthic communities accurately. In contrast, the spot check method is a fast and low cost approach, suitable for mapping benthic communities which have lower spatial complexity. Our findings will enable scientists, technicians and managers to select appropriate methods for collecting field data to integrate with high spatial resolution multi-spectral imagery to create validated coral reef benthic community maps.

Citation Download Citation

Chris M. Roelfsema and Stuart R. Phinn "Integrating field data with high spatial resolution multispectral satellite imagery for calibration and validation of coral reef benthic community maps," Journal of Applied Remote Sensing 4(1), 043527 (1 April 2010). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3430107

Published: 1 April 2010

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available