mapped using remote sensing data include their extent, composition (e.g., benthic
cover, habitat characteristics), biophysical attributes (e.g., bathymetry, water
quality, sea surface temperature), biogeochemistry (e.g., primary production,
calcification), and geology (e.g., morphology, sedimentary diversity). Remote
sensing products are also becoming increasingly recognized for their usefulness to
monitor changes in reef composition over time. Table 1.2, several review papers
(Kuchler et al. 1988; Green et al. 2000; Mumby et al. 2004b; Andréfouët et al.
2005a; Eakin et al. 2010; Hochberg 2011), and the Remote Sensing Toolkit
(www.gpem.uq.edu.au/cser-rstoolkit) all provide a good history and critical
assessment of coral reef remote sensing research and application.
Research on remote sensing for coral reefs has followed two fundamental paths.
The first has been development of techniques to compensate for water column and
atmosphere effects on the remotely sensed signal (Lyzenga 1978, 1985; Gordon
and Clark 1980; Bierwirth et al. 1993; Gordon 1997; Lee et al. 1999; Louchard
et al. 2003; Gao et al. 2009; Dekker et al. 2011). For coral reefs, an important
implication from this research is that for passive sensors to be useful the seafloor
must be visibly observable in the imagery. Optically deep areas, or areas with high
turbidity, cannot be mapped using passive techniques alone, and active systems
Fig. 1.2 Environmental features and processes in coral reefs affecting the radiative transfer
processes recorded by passive optical remote sensing instruments, including photographic,
multispectral and hyperspectral imaging systems. This diagram identifies features able to be
measured, along with factors that reduce the ability to use images of coral reefs (Remote Sensing
Toolkit www.gpem.uq.edu.au/cser-rstoolkit)
6
S. R. Phinn et al.
cover, habitat characteristics), biophysical attributes (e.g., bathymetry, water
quality, sea surface temperature), biogeochemistry (e.g., primary production,
calcification), and geology (e.g., morphology, sedimentary diversity). Remote
sensing products are also becoming increasingly recognized for their usefulness to
monitor changes in reef composition over time. Table 1.2, several review papers
(Kuchler et al. 1988; Green et al. 2000; Mumby et al. 2004b; Andréfouët et al.
2005a; Eakin et al. 2010; Hochberg 2011), and the Remote Sensing Toolkit
(www.gpem.uq.edu.au/cser-rstoolkit) all provide a good history and critical
assessment of coral reef remote sensing research and application.
Research on remote sensing for coral reefs has followed two fundamental paths.
The first has been development of techniques to compensate for water column and
atmosphere effects on the remotely sensed signal (Lyzenga 1978, 1985; Gordon
and Clark 1980; Bierwirth et al. 1993; Gordon 1997; Lee et al. 1999; Louchard
et al. 2003; Gao et al. 2009; Dekker et al. 2011). For coral reefs, an important
implication from this research is that for passive sensors to be useful the seafloor
must be visibly observable in the imagery. Optically deep areas, or areas with high
turbidity, cannot be mapped using passive techniques alone, and active systems
Fig. 1.2 Environmental features and processes in coral reefs affecting the radiative transfer
processes recorded by passive optical remote sensing instruments, including photographic,
multispectral and hyperspectral imaging systems. This diagram identifies features able to be
measured, along with factors that reduce the ability to use images of coral reefs (Remote Sensing
Toolkit www.gpem.uq.edu.au/cser-rstoolkit)
6
S. R. Phinn et al.