Publication Details
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Summit-to-Sea Mapping and Change Detection Using Satellite Imagery: Tools for Conservation and Management of Coral Reefs
Author(s): Shapiro, A.C. and S.O. Rohmann
NCCOS Center: CCMA
Center Team: Biogeography
Name of Publisher: Revista de Biología Tropical, Universidad de Costa
Place of Publication: San José, Costa Rica
Publication Type: Journal Article
Journal Title: International Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation, ISSN-0034-7744, Rev. Biol. Trop. (www.tropiweb.com)
Date of Publication: 2005
Reference Information: 53 (Supp. 1)
185-193
Keywords: remote sensing, benthic habitats, change analysis, Landsat, coral reefs, mapping, managment tool, coral, conservation, satellite imagery, change detection, summit-to-sea, summit to see
Abstract: Continuous summit-to-sea maps showing both land features and shallow-water coral reefs have been
completed in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, using circa 2000 Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper
(ETM+) Imagery. Continuous land/sea terrain was mapped by merging Digital Elevation Models (DEM) with
satellite-derived bathymetry. Benthic habitat characterizations were created by unsupervised classifications of
Landsat imagery clustered using field data, and produced maps with an estimated overall accuracy of >75% (Tau
coefficient >0.65). These were merged with Geocover-LC (land use/land cover) data to create continuous land/
sea cover maps. Image pairs from different dates were analyzed using Principle Components Analysis (PCA) in
order to detect areas of change in the marine environment over two different time intervals: 2000 to 2001, and
1991 to 2003. This activity demonstrates the capabilities of Landsat imagery to produce continuous summit-tosea
maps, as well as detect certain changes in the shallow-water marine environment, providing a valuable tool
for efficient coastal zone monitoring and effective management and conservation.
Availability: www.tropiweb.com or http://rbt.ots.ac.cr/
Related Attachment: Download file (.pdf)
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