Table 2. Categories of MPAs established by the IUCN (Kelleher , 1999).
Category
Description
I
Protected area managed mainly for science or wilderness protection (Strict
nature reserve/Wilderness area).
II
Protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation
(National Park).
III
Protected area managed mainly for conservation of specific natural feature
(National Monument).
IV
Protected area managed mainly for conservation through management
intervention (Habitat/Species Management Area).
V
Protected area managed mainly for landscape/seascape conservation and
recreation (Protected landscape/seascape).
VI
Protected area managed mainly for the sustainable use of natural
ecosystems (Managed Resource Protected Area).
2.3 A CORNERSTONE OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
In the early stages of developing a CRMPA, managers seek information from
databases for the design of maps containing spatially explicit information. Often the
intent is to construct a map that combines locally significant regions with meaningful
and categorized seascape features. Participatory mapping is a normal feature of
CRMPAs: stakeholders define and identify significant areas, which in turn generates a
greater awareness of the condition of these areas, and elicits a stronger sense of
resource ownership. Another increasingly common feature of CRMPAs is the
integration of information taken from images captured by sensors onboard satellites or
aircraft. With greater capabilities to extract biophysical information from images,
including habitat identification, reef health assessment, and change, scientists view
images as an ideal tool for illustrating and assessing large spatial areas, a process that
would take weeks or months using traditional ground surveys.
A benefit of remote sensing that befits coral reef management strategies is that it
can be used to describe multiple biophysical components within a coral reef system.
Given the complexity of managing a multi-component system in which everything is
connected to everything else, managers are faced with the challenge of bringing
together those components that are appropriate and drive changes in the aquatic
ecosystem. Based on the physical characteristics of these components, remote-sensing
technologies can target and then illustrate them in a spatially and temporally explicit
manner. A tool of this strength, that is, with the ability to identify and assess key
drivers of change for CRMPAs, may enable scientists to take key steps in the quest to
manage natural resources.
3. Mapping Coral Reef Environments
The fundamental tools for mapping coral reef environments include both aerial
photography and digital imaging. Both techniques involve capturing reflected light
energy. Processing, calibrating, and correcting the imagery produces a classified image
that extracts features of interest, which are selected by the operator. For imagery of
tropical islands, this often means identification of coral geomorphology, biota, and
nearby ecosystem counterparts that reside within a depth to which light can penetrate.
Certain types of imagery are more useful than others to particular projects. In this
255
Mapping and Management of Coral
Category
Description
I
Protected area managed mainly for science or wilderness protection (Strict
nature reserve/Wilderness area).
II
Protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation
(National Park).
III
Protected area managed mainly for conservation of specific natural feature
(National Monument).
IV
Protected area managed mainly for conservation through management
intervention (Habitat/Species Management Area).
V
Protected area managed mainly for landscape/seascape conservation and
recreation (Protected landscape/seascape).
VI
Protected area managed mainly for the sustainable use of natural
ecosystems (Managed Resource Protected Area).
2.3 A CORNERSTONE OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
In the early stages of developing a CRMPA, managers seek information from
databases for the design of maps containing spatially explicit information. Often the
intent is to construct a map that combines locally significant regions with meaningful
and categorized seascape features. Participatory mapping is a normal feature of
CRMPAs: stakeholders define and identify significant areas, which in turn generates a
greater awareness of the condition of these areas, and elicits a stronger sense of
resource ownership. Another increasingly common feature of CRMPAs is the
integration of information taken from images captured by sensors onboard satellites or
aircraft. With greater capabilities to extract biophysical information from images,
including habitat identification, reef health assessment, and change, scientists view
images as an ideal tool for illustrating and assessing large spatial areas, a process that
would take weeks or months using traditional ground surveys.
A benefit of remote sensing that befits coral reef management strategies is that it
can be used to describe multiple biophysical components within a coral reef system.
Given the complexity of managing a multi-component system in which everything is
connected to everything else, managers are faced with the challenge of bringing
together those components that are appropriate and drive changes in the aquatic
ecosystem. Based on the physical characteristics of these components, remote-sensing
technologies can target and then illustrate them in a spatially and temporally explicit
manner. A tool of this strength, that is, with the ability to identify and assess key
drivers of change for CRMPAs, may enable scientists to take key steps in the quest to
manage natural resources.
3. Mapping Coral Reef Environments
The fundamental tools for mapping coral reef environments include both aerial
photography and digital imaging. Both techniques involve capturing reflected light
energy. Processing, calibrating, and correcting the imagery produces a classified image
that extracts features of interest, which are selected by the operator. For imagery of
tropical islands, this often means identification of coral geomorphology, biota, and
nearby ecosystem counterparts that reside within a depth to which light can penetrate.
Certain types of imagery are more useful than others to particular projects. In this
255
Mapping and Management of Coral