Assessment and Monitoring of Coral Reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Using Hyperspectral Re

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Assessment and Monitoring of Coral Reefsin
theNorthwestern Hawaiian IslandsUsing
Hyperspectral Remote Sensing

• James Goodman and Susan Ustin
• Center for Spatial Technologies and Remote
  Sensing
• University of California, Davis

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Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are in peril. Critically important
ecosystems. Management requires assessment and
monitoring.
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Objectives

• Develop classification algorithms
• Benthic habitats.
• Bathymetry.
• Quantitative mapping and assessment.
• Evaluate stressor-response relationships.

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Hawaiian Islands
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Northwestern Islands

• 2000 km island chain.
• Predominantly uninhabited.
• Diverse habitats with many endemic species.
• Relatively pristine conditions.
• Still threatened by human disturbances.
• Available maps and information are limited.

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AVIRIS in Hawaii
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French Frigate Shoals
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Coral Reefs
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Spectral Characteristics
(Data courtesy of E. Hochberg, HIMB)
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Spectral Characteristics
Sand
Rubble
(Data courtesy of E. Hochberg, HIMB)
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Energy Interactions
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Processing Steps
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Windward Shore, Oahu
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Kaneohe Bay, Oahu
AVIRIS Color image
AVIRIS Color image w/ land mask
AVIRIS Unsupervised classification
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Results

• Coral reef ecosystem assessment
• Rapid mapping technique.
• Efficient assessment of coral reefs.
• Analysis of coral health.
• Data for environmental modeling.
• Ecosystem management tools
• Assist in development of plans.
• Evaluate management effectiveness.
• Global assessments.

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• James A. Goodman
• jagoodman_at_ucdavis.edu
• Center for Spatial Technologies and Remote
  Sensing
• University of California, Davis