Reef-scale mapping. Reef-scale maps provide information on habitat structure
and composition at a local scale (Fig. 3.1). These maps can be used to assess
effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) (Rioja-Nieto and Sheppard 2008),
as well as provide estimates of habitat diversity (Mumby 2001; Harborne et al.
2006). Although species distribution and biodiversity cannot be measured directly,
such parameters can be inferred from habitat maps (Mumby et al. 2008). Maps
with the highest habitat thematic complexity provide better surrogates for inferred
parameters than simpler maps (Dalleau et al. 2010), and are more robust to
changes in spatial scales. The emergence of high spatial resolution sensors also
allows more detailed mapping of reef habitats and associated parameters.
While reef-scale maps for geological and ecological features are commonly produced to estimate resource inventory, maps are not limited to just habitat estimations
(e.g., coral, seagrass and macroalgae). Successful applications also include stock
assessment of giant clam (Andréfouët et al. 2009b) and invasive brown algae (Andréfouët et al. 2004). They are also used to assess species-habitat correlations, with
varying degrees of success. A review of nine studies showed significant relationships
between fish parameters (e.g., species richness, total abundance and biomass) and
habitats derived from remote sensing images (e.g., geomorphology, benthic habitat,
rugosity and depth) (Mellin et al. 2009). However, the studies suggested no clear
conclusions or generic rules for fish assemblages across different scales.
Regional to global-scale mapping. This level of mapping enables large-scale,
multi-site mapping of coral reefs (Andréfouët et al. 2006; Purkis et al. 2007). Such
maps can be used to characterize the landscape structure and composition of reefs,
which can in turn be linked to environmental and human impacts. Andréfouët et al.
(2001a) classified regions in the Tuamotu Archipelago based on landscape
parameters derived from maps produced by SPOT HRV images. It was shown that
reef structure was related primarily to exposure to ocean swells. Yamano et al.
(2006b) followed the same procedure, but using Landsat ETM+, for the atoll rim in
the Marshall Islands, and found human settlements were correlated to reef characteristics, suggesting the approach could be used to assess vulnerability of the
islands to environmental change.
Currently the largest-scale mapping product is the Millennium Coral Reef
Mapping Project (MCRMP) (Andréfouët et al. 2006; Fig. 3.3), which mapped
global geomorphic units of coral reefs using Landsat ETM+ data (Arvidson et al.
2001) (eol.jsc.nasa.gov/reefs/Overview2003/mill.htm). Other examples of largescale habitat maps include the Japanese Ministry of the Environment coral reef
maps (coralmap.coremoc.go.jp/sangomap_eng/index.html), and NOAA benthic
map products (www.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/). Data from these large-scale maps
have been used to examine regional and global conservation status of coral reefs.
Mora et al. (2006) compared MCRMP products with the location of marine protected areas (MPAs), and revealed that only 2 % of the world’s coral reefs are
within MPAs. Reef geomorphology maps derived from Landsat ETM+ have also
been integrated into reserve selection software to identify priority sites for conservation to set up regional MPAs (Beger et al. 2006).
64
H. Yamano
and composition at a local scale (Fig. 3.1). These maps can be used to assess
effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) (Rioja-Nieto and Sheppard 2008),
as well as provide estimates of habitat diversity (Mumby 2001; Harborne et al.
2006). Although species distribution and biodiversity cannot be measured directly,
such parameters can be inferred from habitat maps (Mumby et al. 2008). Maps
with the highest habitat thematic complexity provide better surrogates for inferred
parameters than simpler maps (Dalleau et al. 2010), and are more robust to
changes in spatial scales. The emergence of high spatial resolution sensors also
allows more detailed mapping of reef habitats and associated parameters.
While reef-scale maps for geological and ecological features are commonly produced to estimate resource inventory, maps are not limited to just habitat estimations
(e.g., coral, seagrass and macroalgae). Successful applications also include stock
assessment of giant clam (Andréfouët et al. 2009b) and invasive brown algae (Andréfouët et al. 2004). They are also used to assess species-habitat correlations, with
varying degrees of success. A review of nine studies showed significant relationships
between fish parameters (e.g., species richness, total abundance and biomass) and
habitats derived from remote sensing images (e.g., geomorphology, benthic habitat,
rugosity and depth) (Mellin et al. 2009). However, the studies suggested no clear
conclusions or generic rules for fish assemblages across different scales.
Regional to global-scale mapping. This level of mapping enables large-scale,
multi-site mapping of coral reefs (Andréfouët et al. 2006; Purkis et al. 2007). Such
maps can be used to characterize the landscape structure and composition of reefs,
which can in turn be linked to environmental and human impacts. Andréfouët et al.
(2001a) classified regions in the Tuamotu Archipelago based on landscape
parameters derived from maps produced by SPOT HRV images. It was shown that
reef structure was related primarily to exposure to ocean swells. Yamano et al.
(2006b) followed the same procedure, but using Landsat ETM+, for the atoll rim in
the Marshall Islands, and found human settlements were correlated to reef characteristics, suggesting the approach could be used to assess vulnerability of the
islands to environmental change.
Currently the largest-scale mapping product is the Millennium Coral Reef
Mapping Project (MCRMP) (Andréfouët et al. 2006; Fig. 3.3), which mapped
global geomorphic units of coral reefs using Landsat ETM+ data (Arvidson et al.
2001) (eol.jsc.nasa.gov/reefs/Overview2003/mill.htm). Other examples of largescale habitat maps include the Japanese Ministry of the Environment coral reef
maps (coralmap.coremoc.go.jp/sangomap_eng/index.html), and NOAA benthic
map products (www.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/). Data from these large-scale maps
have been used to examine regional and global conservation status of coral reefs.
Mora et al. (2006) compared MCRMP products with the location of marine protected areas (MPAs), and revealed that only 2 % of the world’s coral reefs are
within MPAs. Reef geomorphology maps derived from Landsat ETM+ have also
been integrated into reserve selection software to identify priority sites for conservation to set up regional MPAs (Beger et al. 2006).
64
H. Yamano