the most appropriate sensor for particular applications are provided, including an
overview of how to utilize remote data as an effective tool in science and
management. The text is richly illustrated with examples of each sensing technology applied to a range of scientific, monitoring and management questions in
reefs around the world. As such, the book is broadly accessible to a general
audience, as well as students, managers, remote sensing specialists, and anyone
else working with coral reef ecosystems.
Outline and Roadmap. The book is divided into five sections, with the first four
highlighting different suites of remote sensing technologies and the fifth section
discussing the best use of remote sensing in effective science and management.
Each of the four technology sections begins with an introductory chapter followed
by a series of application chapters that discuss each technology in more detail and
define the applications for which they are best suited.
• Section I. Visible and Infrared Remote Sensing.
Chapters 1–4 introduce passive optical remote sensing (i.e., sensing technologies
that rely on visible and infrared spectra of reflected sunlight as the basis for image
measurements). These technologies include aerial and astronaut photography,
and multispectral and hyperspectral aerial and satellite imaging. Such techniques
are best suited for assessing habitat characteristics (e.g., habitat type, composition, and distribution) in clear, shallow (\20 m) water. The typical spatial
resolution, or pixel size, employed in visible and infrared remote sensing ranges
from fine (\0.5–5 m) to moderate (10–30 m) scale. Visible and infrared remote
sensing is also suitable for assessing associated surrounding environmental
conditions at varying degrees of detail (e.g., water properties, bathymetry, and
coastal/island land characteristics).
• Section II. LiDAR Remote Sensing.
Chapters 5–7 introduce active optical remote sensing (i.e., technologies that
measure the return signal of an actively emitted energy source). This technology
is centered on LiDAR, but also includes an evolving set of techniques that
merge LiDAR and hyperspectral imagery. LiDAR data are commonly acquired
from aircraft platforms and are best suited for measurements of water depth,
seafloor topography, geomorphology, and recently general habitat categories
(e.g., broad cover types, such as reef versus seagrass versus sand) in clear,
moderately deep (\40 m) water. Spatial resolution varies as a function of depth,
but is typically at relatively fine (1–5 m) scale. Emerging techniques in LiDAR
sensors and analysis techniques are also extending the level of detail that can be
achieved for reef characteristics and surrounding water properties.
• Section III. Acoustic Remote Sensing.
Chapters 8–10 present the field of acoustic remote sensing (i.e., sensors that
measure sound, either sound emitted directly from objects/organisms or return
signals from actively emitted pulses of sound). Acoustic remote sensing is primarily a ship-based technology, but is also deployed on AUVs or using in-water
platforms. The breadth of platforms available for acoustic remote sensing allows
viii
Preface
overview of how to utilize remote data as an effective tool in science and
management. The text is richly illustrated with examples of each sensing technology applied to a range of scientific, monitoring and management questions in
reefs around the world. As such, the book is broadly accessible to a general
audience, as well as students, managers, remote sensing specialists, and anyone
else working with coral reef ecosystems.
Outline and Roadmap. The book is divided into five sections, with the first four
highlighting different suites of remote sensing technologies and the fifth section
discussing the best use of remote sensing in effective science and management.
Each of the four technology sections begins with an introductory chapter followed
by a series of application chapters that discuss each technology in more detail and
define the applications for which they are best suited.
• Section I. Visible and Infrared Remote Sensing.
Chapters 1–4 introduce passive optical remote sensing (i.e., sensing technologies
that rely on visible and infrared spectra of reflected sunlight as the basis for image
measurements). These technologies include aerial and astronaut photography,
and multispectral and hyperspectral aerial and satellite imaging. Such techniques
are best suited for assessing habitat characteristics (e.g., habitat type, composition, and distribution) in clear, shallow (\20 m) water. The typical spatial
resolution, or pixel size, employed in visible and infrared remote sensing ranges
from fine (\0.5–5 m) to moderate (10–30 m) scale. Visible and infrared remote
sensing is also suitable for assessing associated surrounding environmental
conditions at varying degrees of detail (e.g., water properties, bathymetry, and
coastal/island land characteristics).
• Section II. LiDAR Remote Sensing.
Chapters 5–7 introduce active optical remote sensing (i.e., technologies that
measure the return signal of an actively emitted energy source). This technology
is centered on LiDAR, but also includes an evolving set of techniques that
merge LiDAR and hyperspectral imagery. LiDAR data are commonly acquired
from aircraft platforms and are best suited for measurements of water depth,
seafloor topography, geomorphology, and recently general habitat categories
(e.g., broad cover types, such as reef versus seagrass versus sand) in clear,
moderately deep (\40 m) water. Spatial resolution varies as a function of depth,
but is typically at relatively fine (1–5 m) scale. Emerging techniques in LiDAR
sensors and analysis techniques are also extending the level of detail that can be
achieved for reef characteristics and surrounding water properties.
• Section III. Acoustic Remote Sensing.
Chapters 8–10 present the field of acoustic remote sensing (i.e., sensors that
measure sound, either sound emitted directly from objects/organisms or return
signals from actively emitted pulses of sound). Acoustic remote sensing is primarily a ship-based technology, but is also deployed on AUVs or using in-water
platforms. The breadth of platforms available for acoustic remote sensing allows
viii
Preface