In-air spectral signatures of the Baltic Sea macrophytes and their statistical separability

Jonne Kotta; Kalle Remm; Ele Vahtmäe; Tiit Kutser; Helen Orav-Kotta

doi:10.1117/1.JRS.8.083634

9 May 2014 In-air spectral signatures of the Baltic Sea macrophytes and their statistical separability

Jonne Kotta, Kalle Remm, Ele Vahtmäe, Tiit Kutser, Helen Orav-Kotta

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Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, Vol. 8, Issue 1, 083634 (May 2014). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JRS.8.083634

Abstract

Many macroalgal species potentially have distinctive spectral signatures detectable using remote sensing. In order to map the spatial distribution of these species, their spectral properties have to be quantified and statistical differences between species need to be assessed. In the present study, we collected a spectral library of the key benthic macrophyte species in the Baltic Sea area and presented the methodology that allows quantifying statistical differences between their reflectance spectra. The results indicate that three broad groups of algae—green, brown, and red algae—can be separated based on their optical signatures. In general, the between-species differences are too small to allow easy recognition of benthic algae based on their untransformed reflectance spectra. However, the distinctness of the studied species and taxa improves if standardized reflectance values are used. The best indicative spectral range was at 530 to 570 nm for the separation of species and of larger taxonomic units.

CC BY: © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.

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Jonne Kotta, Kalle Remm, Ele Vahtmäe, Tiit Kutser, and Helen Orav-Kotta "In-air spectral signatures of the Baltic Sea macrophytes and their statistical separability," Journal of Applied Remote Sensing 8(1), 083634 (9 May 2014). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JRS.8.083634

Published: 9 May 2014

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