commonly include cost, lack of remote sensors tailored for coastal zones, and, perhaps
most important, an underdeveloped line of communication between scientists, remote
sensing experts, and managers. Despite these drawbacks, there are many current and
ongoing examples of the successful use of remote sensing to support aquatic coastal
ecosystem science, and to integrate remote sensing into the management of coastal
zones. We hope to provide an overview of the integration of remote sensing and both
science and management in this book.
2. Coastal zones
The apparent lag in coastal aquatic remote sensing as compared to open ocean
remote sensing is, we believe, in large part due to the complexity of the coastal zone.
This complexity is multifaceted, and includes both optical and biological complexity as
well as an overlay of temporal and spatial dynamics. In terms of optical complexity,
many factors are involved. These include the following:
x coastal zones are often shallow, thus bottom reflectance contributes to an
optical water-leaving signal
x benthic communities of differing complexities and depths also contribute to
optical water-leaving signals
x phytoplankton and suspended sediments are present in much higher
concentrations in coastal zones as compared to “blue” offshore water
x spectral signatures of different types of phytoplankton and sediments are
highly variable and can strongly affect spectral reflectance
x spectral signatures of phytoplankton and sediments interact in such a manner
that specific algorithms must be derived that are tailored for coastal regions.
In terms of biological complexity, the following factors must be addressed:
x the presence of macroalgae, dense invertebrate communities (such as found on
coral reefs) and other bio-optically active organisms can contribute to
reflectance
x the effect of biota, both benthic and suspended, on traditional (Case 1)
chlorophyll algorithms often results in erroneous results
x seasonal patterns of biomass and dominance by successive members of the
biological community commonly occur.
Finally, temporal and spatial dynamics are much more relevant for remote sensing
of aquatic coastal zones than for those of open oceans. Thus, transient phytoplankton
blooms, runoff from storms, flooding, and resuspension of sediments due to storm
events all must be considered within spatial scales that may not be resolved by existing
satellite sensors.
3. Spectral signatures
We believe that one of the most promising features of coastal aquatic systems that
can be exploited for both science and management applications of remote sensing is
that of spectral signatures. Case 2 (coastal) waters, as opposed to Case 1 (oceanic)
2
Richardson and LeDrew
most important, an underdeveloped line of communication between scientists, remote
sensing experts, and managers. Despite these drawbacks, there are many current and
ongoing examples of the successful use of remote sensing to support aquatic coastal
ecosystem science, and to integrate remote sensing into the management of coastal
zones. We hope to provide an overview of the integration of remote sensing and both
science and management in this book.
2. Coastal zones
The apparent lag in coastal aquatic remote sensing as compared to open ocean
remote sensing is, we believe, in large part due to the complexity of the coastal zone.
This complexity is multifaceted, and includes both optical and biological complexity as
well as an overlay of temporal and spatial dynamics. In terms of optical complexity,
many factors are involved. These include the following:
x coastal zones are often shallow, thus bottom reflectance contributes to an
optical water-leaving signal
x benthic communities of differing complexities and depths also contribute to
optical water-leaving signals
x phytoplankton and suspended sediments are present in much higher
concentrations in coastal zones as compared to “blue” offshore water
x spectral signatures of different types of phytoplankton and sediments are
highly variable and can strongly affect spectral reflectance
x spectral signatures of phytoplankton and sediments interact in such a manner
that specific algorithms must be derived that are tailored for coastal regions.
In terms of biological complexity, the following factors must be addressed:
x the presence of macroalgae, dense invertebrate communities (such as found on
coral reefs) and other bio-optically active organisms can contribute to
reflectance
x the effect of biota, both benthic and suspended, on traditional (Case 1)
chlorophyll algorithms often results in erroneous results
x seasonal patterns of biomass and dominance by successive members of the
biological community commonly occur.
Finally, temporal and spatial dynamics are much more relevant for remote sensing
of aquatic coastal zones than for those of open oceans. Thus, transient phytoplankton
blooms, runoff from storms, flooding, and resuspension of sediments due to storm
events all must be considered within spatial scales that may not be resolved by existing
satellite sensors.
3. Spectral signatures
We believe that one of the most promising features of coastal aquatic systems that
can be exploited for both science and management applications of remote sensing is
that of spectral signatures. Case 2 (coastal) waters, as opposed to Case 1 (oceanic)
2
Richardson and LeDrew