Chapter 3
Multispectral Applications
Hiroya Yamano
Abstract Multispectral satellite sensors have been used widely for coral reef
applications. There is a long history of multispectral image acquisition, second to
photography, with data available at global coverage for relatively low cost. This
chapter summarizes the history, observation targets, and image processing methods of multispectral remote sensing of coral reefs. A variety of applications are
presented in a progression from image classification and mapping to monitoring
and modeling. Insight into the future directions of multispectral coral reef imaging
is then provided, with a focus on higher spatial resolution, higher spectral resolution, greater data acquisition capacity, and integration with other data sources.
3.1 Introduction
Large-scale, synoptic mapping and monitoring are a basic requirement for the
management and conservation of coral reefs (Green et al. 2000; Newman et al.
2006). One of the most practical solutions for meeting this need is multispectral
remote sensing. Multispectral sensors are typically broadband, with three or four
60–100 nm wide wavebands in the visible to near infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Although the broadband limits detailed discrimination of
specific benthic features (e.g., coral, seagrass and macroalgae) that have similar
reflectance characteristics (Hochberg et al. 2003), multispectral sensors have been
used widely for mapping, monitoring and management of coral reefs, mostly
H. Yamano (&)
Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies,
National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba,
Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
e-mail: hyamano@nies.go.jp
J. A. Goodman et al. (eds.), Coral Reef Remote Sensing,
DOI: 10.1007/978-90-481-9292-2_3,
Ó Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
51
Multispectral Applications
Hiroya Yamano
Abstract Multispectral satellite sensors have been used widely for coral reef
applications. There is a long history of multispectral image acquisition, second to
photography, with data available at global coverage for relatively low cost. This
chapter summarizes the history, observation targets, and image processing methods of multispectral remote sensing of coral reefs. A variety of applications are
presented in a progression from image classification and mapping to monitoring
and modeling. Insight into the future directions of multispectral coral reef imaging
is then provided, with a focus on higher spatial resolution, higher spectral resolution, greater data acquisition capacity, and integration with other data sources.
3.1 Introduction
Large-scale, synoptic mapping and monitoring are a basic requirement for the
management and conservation of coral reefs (Green et al. 2000; Newman et al.
2006). One of the most practical solutions for meeting this need is multispectral
remote sensing. Multispectral sensors are typically broadband, with three or four
60–100 nm wide wavebands in the visible to near infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Although the broadband limits detailed discrimination of
specific benthic features (e.g., coral, seagrass and macroalgae) that have similar
reflectance characteristics (Hochberg et al. 2003), multispectral sensors have been
used widely for mapping, monitoring and management of coral reefs, mostly
H. Yamano (&)
Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies,
National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba,
Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
e-mail: hyamano@nies.go.jp
J. A. Goodman et al. (eds.), Coral Reef Remote Sensing,
DOI: 10.1007/978-90-481-9292-2_3,
Ó Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
51