who are moving towards remote sensing of coral health by remote measurement of
coral photosynthetic efficiency.
5. Monitoring coastal zones, habitats, and ecosystems
Although many aquatic monitoring programs incorporate remote sensing, often the
degree of incorporation is prohibited by cost and a well-founded perception that remote
sensing requires expertise in a highly specialized field. Despite this, the success of
remote sensing in monitoring can only suggest that this approach will become
increasingly common in the future. Buoys with monitoring sensors are increasing in
number, as are their data capabilities. Such buoys are now used to, for example,
measure and estimate chlorophyll and turbidity in the water column - an assessment of
water quality. Some innovative programs, particularly in Australia and Europe, include
fully integrated optical remote sensing (satellite and aircraft) data input for the early
detection of harmful algal blooms. A specific case study is presented in Chapter 10 in
which Stuart Phinn et al. discuss the use of remote sensing monitoring to detect toxic
blooms of the cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula. In this particular case, the use of
remote sensing in monitoring is also integrated into management.
Satellite platforms that support remote sensing now provide global coverage.
Currently remote sensing capabilities and data streams exist that could be used much
more extensively in monitoring programs. Additionally, historical data are available
which can potentially be a source of baseline data, an increasingly important concept in
monitoring aquatic coastal environments. An overview, discussion of data sets, and
example of use of historical data are given in Chapter 8 by Jennifer Gebelein.
One global ecosystem that is currently the focus of study on a world-wide basis,
and that makes extensive use of satellite data for mapping and monitoring, is the coral
reef ecosystem. Many of the chapters in this book include some aspect of remote
sensing of coral reefs. These include mapping on a global basis, which is being
conducted as the first step of global monitoring of coral reefs; remote sensing based
studies of coral reef health; use of remote sensing to scale up coral reef process level
studies; and integration of historical data in coral reef/land interaction studies. Rather
than compile these efforts into one section on remote sensing of coral reefs, we have
placed individual studies within the framework of remote sensing and science,
monitoring, and management as a recurrent thread throughout the book.
It is our hope that this book will alleviate some of the hesitation of those involved
in monitoring of aquatic coastal zones and ecosystems by providing a non-technical
overview of this field as well as a compilation of remote sensing resources.
6. Management of coastal zones, habitats, and ecosystems
Even more so than within monitoring programs, remote sensing is an underutilized
tool that would greatly benefit management programs that are responsible for, or
include, coastal ecosystems. However, managers are often more reluctant than those
involved in monitoring to introduce remote sensing. This is, again, based on the view
that expertise if required, and is enhanced by the fact that many managers, as opposed
to monitoring personnel, do not have a science background. In cases where
underdeveloped nations are involved, the problem is pronounced.
We have included in this book particular attention to bridging the gap between
5
managers and remote sensing. Chapter 9 by Brian Whitehouse and Daniel Hutt
Remote Sensing and Aquatic Coastal Ecosystems
coral photosynthetic efficiency.
5. Monitoring coastal zones, habitats, and ecosystems
Although many aquatic monitoring programs incorporate remote sensing, often the
degree of incorporation is prohibited by cost and a well-founded perception that remote
sensing requires expertise in a highly specialized field. Despite this, the success of
remote sensing in monitoring can only suggest that this approach will become
increasingly common in the future. Buoys with monitoring sensors are increasing in
number, as are their data capabilities. Such buoys are now used to, for example,
measure and estimate chlorophyll and turbidity in the water column - an assessment of
water quality. Some innovative programs, particularly in Australia and Europe, include
fully integrated optical remote sensing (satellite and aircraft) data input for the early
detection of harmful algal blooms. A specific case study is presented in Chapter 10 in
which Stuart Phinn et al. discuss the use of remote sensing monitoring to detect toxic
blooms of the cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula. In this particular case, the use of
remote sensing in monitoring is also integrated into management.
Satellite platforms that support remote sensing now provide global coverage.
Currently remote sensing capabilities and data streams exist that could be used much
more extensively in monitoring programs. Additionally, historical data are available
which can potentially be a source of baseline data, an increasingly important concept in
monitoring aquatic coastal environments. An overview, discussion of data sets, and
example of use of historical data are given in Chapter 8 by Jennifer Gebelein.
One global ecosystem that is currently the focus of study on a world-wide basis,
and that makes extensive use of satellite data for mapping and monitoring, is the coral
reef ecosystem. Many of the chapters in this book include some aspect of remote
sensing of coral reefs. These include mapping on a global basis, which is being
conducted as the first step of global monitoring of coral reefs; remote sensing based
studies of coral reef health; use of remote sensing to scale up coral reef process level
studies; and integration of historical data in coral reef/land interaction studies. Rather
than compile these efforts into one section on remote sensing of coral reefs, we have
placed individual studies within the framework of remote sensing and science,
monitoring, and management as a recurrent thread throughout the book.
It is our hope that this book will alleviate some of the hesitation of those involved
in monitoring of aquatic coastal zones and ecosystems by providing a non-technical
overview of this field as well as a compilation of remote sensing resources.
6. Management of coastal zones, habitats, and ecosystems
Even more so than within monitoring programs, remote sensing is an underutilized
tool that would greatly benefit management programs that are responsible for, or
include, coastal ecosystems. However, managers are often more reluctant than those
involved in monitoring to introduce remote sensing. This is, again, based on the view
that expertise if required, and is enhanced by the fact that many managers, as opposed
to monitoring personnel, do not have a science background. In cases where
underdeveloped nations are involved, the problem is pronounced.
We have included in this book particular attention to bridging the gap between
5
managers and remote sensing. Chapter 9 by Brian Whitehouse and Daniel Hutt
Remote Sensing and Aquatic Coastal Ecosystems