Journal of Remote Sensing & GIS

From field measurements to synoptic mapping: Upscaling coral reef structural complexity using close-range digital photogrammetry and satellite imagery

World Congress on GIS & Remote Sensing

August 01-03, 2016 New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Javier Leon

University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Remote Sensing & GIS

Abstract:

Our understanding of Earth surface processes is rapidly advancing as geospatial technologies such as close-range digital photogrammetry become more accessible and affordable. Coral reef habitat structural complexity influences key physical and ecological processes, ecosystem biodiversity, and resilience. However, measuring structural complexity underwater is not trivial and researchers have been searching for accurate and cost-effective methods that can be applied across spatial extents for over 50 years. Here, we present and discuss the advantages and limitations of a readily available and cost-effective method for measuring coral reef habitat structure using close-range digital photogrammetry. Ultra-high spatial resolution digital terrain model (DTM) and orthophoto mosaics (mm scale) were produced using consumer grade digital cameras and off-the-shelf â??Structure-from-Motionâ?? (SfM) algorithms. Areas of approximately 200 m2 were surveyed across two shallow coral reef flats in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The precise terrain data were used to calculate spatially-explicit structural complexity maps which were then used to upscale measurements across habitat zones using unmanned aerial vehicle-derived and satellite-borne imagery. The proposed methodology and results were deemed highly appropriate for data collection, processing and analysis workflows to generate very-high spatial resolution DTMs, orthophoto mosaics and structural complexity maps of shallow and energetic coral reefs.

Biography :

Email: jleon@usc.edu.au