outstanding mapping accuracy, it requires extensive post-processing which can make it
prohibitively expensive for many users.
A discussion of the types of data sources available is beyond the scope of this
chapter but is presented in Chapter 11. Here we focus on a few examples of local and
regional projects that represent the types of activities being conducted for high spatial
resolution coastal studies. The sensors used in these studies cover a wide range of
geographic areas, include high spatial resolution information, and are available for
public distribution and incorporation into further synthesis studies.
3.5.1 U.S. Coral Reef Taskforce mapping
The Coral Reef Mapping Implementation Plan of the U.S. Coral Reef Taskforce
(1999) focused on both short- and long-term (>5 years) mapping needs for all reefs in
U.S. states and territories. The working group pointed out the need for cost effective
methods of mapping the baseline or current status of reefs, as well as the need for
routine updates. Mapping activities to date have emphasized use of color aerial
photography and IKONOS, with some use of airborne hyperspectral data in Hawaii
(Table 3).
The USGS is a participating partner in the Mapping and Information Synthesis
Working Group of the U.S. Coral Reef Taskforce (Rohmann, 2003). USGS activities
have included work in the Hawaiian Islands, using an approach aimed at examining
factors that influence coral reef health. In these studies, satellite sensors in combination
with on-land digital camera stations are used to detect suspended sediments due to land
run-off events. Together with aerial imaging, satellite remote sensing data are being
used to map and study spatial distribution, transport patterns, and amount of sediment
introduced onto the reef and the potential impact to the reefs. Airborne SHOALS
(Scanning Hydrographic Operational Airborne LIDAR Survey) and digital cameras
have also been used in the localized mapping studies. The addition of aerial
acquisitions provides the opportunity to acquire several types of data simultaneously for
later synthesis. For example, USGS scientists mapped reefs on southern Moloka’i,
Hawaii using a combination of aerial photomosaics and bathymetry derived from the
SHOALS instrument (Storlazzi et al., 2003).
3.5.2 Regional studies sponsored by The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is collaborating with the International Institute of
Tropical Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Geological Survey, to produce
vegetation/land cover maps for all the islands of the Caribbean under the Caribbean
Vegetation and Landcover Mapping Initiative. While the project is still in its
development phases, the collection of existing vegetation maps is complete, forming
the Caribbean Vegetation Atlas. A consistent classification system suited to Caribbean
vegetation has been completed and mapping of the islands based on Landsat
data is ongoing. The classification system and mapping efforts will produce updated
vegetationmaps. At completion, all products are planned to be online (http://edcintl.cr.
usgs.gov/tnc/project/project.html).
The Nature Conservancy has also supported a number of local resource
management studies that have included assembling and interpreting data on coral reefs,
coastal interfaces, and land cover, in efforts to improve coastal management. Targets
have included the Bahamian Archipelago, (http://islands.bio.miami.edu/index.html), the
Meso-American Reef system (Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras), and Palmyra
Atoll.
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Data Synthesis for Management
prohibitively expensive for many users.
A discussion of the types of data sources available is beyond the scope of this
chapter but is presented in Chapter 11. Here we focus on a few examples of local and
regional projects that represent the types of activities being conducted for high spatial
resolution coastal studies. The sensors used in these studies cover a wide range of
geographic areas, include high spatial resolution information, and are available for
public distribution and incorporation into further synthesis studies.
3.5.1 U.S. Coral Reef Taskforce mapping
The Coral Reef Mapping Implementation Plan of the U.S. Coral Reef Taskforce
(1999) focused on both short- and long-term (>5 years) mapping needs for all reefs in
U.S. states and territories. The working group pointed out the need for cost effective
methods of mapping the baseline or current status of reefs, as well as the need for
routine updates. Mapping activities to date have emphasized use of color aerial
photography and IKONOS, with some use of airborne hyperspectral data in Hawaii
(Table 3).
The USGS is a participating partner in the Mapping and Information Synthesis
Working Group of the U.S. Coral Reef Taskforce (Rohmann, 2003). USGS activities
have included work in the Hawaiian Islands, using an approach aimed at examining
factors that influence coral reef health. In these studies, satellite sensors in combination
with on-land digital camera stations are used to detect suspended sediments due to land
run-off events. Together with aerial imaging, satellite remote sensing data are being
used to map and study spatial distribution, transport patterns, and amount of sediment
introduced onto the reef and the potential impact to the reefs. Airborne SHOALS
(Scanning Hydrographic Operational Airborne LIDAR Survey) and digital cameras
have also been used in the localized mapping studies. The addition of aerial
acquisitions provides the opportunity to acquire several types of data simultaneously for
later synthesis. For example, USGS scientists mapped reefs on southern Moloka’i,
Hawaii using a combination of aerial photomosaics and bathymetry derived from the
SHOALS instrument (Storlazzi et al., 2003).
3.5.2 Regional studies sponsored by The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is collaborating with the International Institute of
Tropical Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Geological Survey, to produce
vegetation/land cover maps for all the islands of the Caribbean under the Caribbean
Vegetation and Landcover Mapping Initiative. While the project is still in its
development phases, the collection of existing vegetation maps is complete, forming
the Caribbean Vegetation Atlas. A consistent classification system suited to Caribbean
vegetation has been completed and mapping of the islands based on Landsat
data is ongoing. The classification system and mapping efforts will produce updated
vegetationmaps. At completion, all products are planned to be online (http://edcintl.cr.
usgs.gov/tnc/project/project.html).
The Nature Conservancy has also supported a number of local resource
management studies that have included assembling and interpreting data on coral reefs,
coastal interfaces, and land cover, in efforts to improve coastal management. Targets
have included the Bahamian Archipelago, (http://islands.bio.miami.edu/index.html), the
Meso-American Reef system (Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras), and Palmyra
Atoll.
295
Data Synthesis for Management