metabolism and decay of organic tripton. Case 2 or shallow coastal waters have, in
addition to these constituents, the material suspended by turbulent interaction with the
sea floor, inorganic and organic tripton originating from the land surface, colored
dissolved organic matter (CDOM), and anthropogenic particulate and dissolved
materials. Clearly the physics of radiant interaction become significantly more complex
and the effect will reflect the diurnal and seasonal variability of processes along the
dynamic transition between land and water. Schalles provided a detailed and extensive
explanation of the optical issues, reviewed a wide range of relevant observational
spectra, and provided detailed explanations for specific spectral responses. He
concludes that spectral remote sensing of coastal waters is an operational, albeit
complicated, procedure. Such information is of direct benefit to, for example,
aquaculture operations. An important observation is that this type of analysis demands
hyperspectral imaging with the spectral resolution that is necessary to detect subtle
anomalies in specific bands. There are several initiatives under way for satellite based
hyperspectral imaging by Canada (HERO Satellite) and others.
Gage and Albert (Chapter 4) focused on the numerical modeling of the radiation
stream through the water column. They developed a sensor-independent software tool
that generates spectra for particular water column characteristics, or can analyze spectra
that have been observed for specific water columns. This “Water colour Simulator” or
WASI is explained in depth and the program itself and documentation is provided on
the CD-ROM found in this book. Thirty-three equations that describe analysis of eight
different spectrum types (e.g. Absorption, attenuation, specular reflectance, etc.) are
provided in the chapter. The analyst can trace through the process for each spectrum
calculation. The implementation method is discussed, as is the error assessment. The
interface is ‘user-friendly’ and there are clear illustrations for a variety of practical
issues. This software tool will be a decided asset for those wishing to experiment with
the properties of radiance interaction for their particular site, and may very well serve
as a basis for the decision to use or not use remote sensing within a specific science or
management application. Specifically, the WASI program allows the scientist to
evaluate what can be realistically mapped or measured with remote sensing as well as
determine the contributions to the sensor signal by specific in situ properties.
Brock, Yates and Halley (Chapter 5) provided a comprehensive conceptual
framework for incorporating remote sensing information into estimation of the
community metabolism of reef systems. The authors note that the transition of benthic
communities from coral-rich to micro- or macroalgal domination, which involve
changes in the community metabolism, are clearly associated with shifts in the system
boundary conditions. Models of coral reef ecosystems that include parameterized
process functions that are scaled in both space and time by remote sensing information
can be an important component of management decisions that respond to changing
stressors. A comprehensive field program that addresses scaling of reef metabolism
using remote sensing is detailed as an illustration of this conceptual framework. The
net heterotrophic state of the reef under study is considered to be the result of organic
detritus of land origin, followed by in situ remineralization. This dictates that water
column nutrient concentrations be assessed at the benthic boundary layer to be of
greatest value in management of this reef system.
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addition to these constituents, the material suspended by turbulent interaction with the
sea floor, inorganic and organic tripton originating from the land surface, colored
dissolved organic matter (CDOM), and anthropogenic particulate and dissolved
materials. Clearly the physics of radiant interaction become significantly more complex
and the effect will reflect the diurnal and seasonal variability of processes along the
dynamic transition between land and water. Schalles provided a detailed and extensive
explanation of the optical issues, reviewed a wide range of relevant observational
spectra, and provided detailed explanations for specific spectral responses. He
concludes that spectral remote sensing of coastal waters is an operational, albeit
complicated, procedure. Such information is of direct benefit to, for example,
aquaculture operations. An important observation is that this type of analysis demands
hyperspectral imaging with the spectral resolution that is necessary to detect subtle
anomalies in specific bands. There are several initiatives under way for satellite based
hyperspectral imaging by Canada (HERO Satellite) and others.
Gage and Albert (Chapter 4) focused on the numerical modeling of the radiation
stream through the water column. They developed a sensor-independent software tool
that generates spectra for particular water column characteristics, or can analyze spectra
that have been observed for specific water columns. This “Water colour Simulator” or
WASI is explained in depth and the program itself and documentation is provided on
the CD-ROM found in this book. Thirty-three equations that describe analysis of eight
different spectrum types (e.g. Absorption, attenuation, specular reflectance, etc.) are
provided in the chapter. The analyst can trace through the process for each spectrum
calculation. The implementation method is discussed, as is the error assessment. The
interface is ‘user-friendly’ and there are clear illustrations for a variety of practical
issues. This software tool will be a decided asset for those wishing to experiment with
the properties of radiance interaction for their particular site, and may very well serve
as a basis for the decision to use or not use remote sensing within a specific science or
management application. Specifically, the WASI program allows the scientist to
evaluate what can be realistically mapped or measured with remote sensing as well as
determine the contributions to the sensor signal by specific in situ properties.
Brock, Yates and Halley (Chapter 5) provided a comprehensive conceptual
framework for incorporating remote sensing information into estimation of the
community metabolism of reef systems. The authors note that the transition of benthic
communities from coral-rich to micro- or macroalgal domination, which involve
changes in the community metabolism, are clearly associated with shifts in the system
boundary conditions. Models of coral reef ecosystems that include parameterized
process functions that are scaled in both space and time by remote sensing information
can be an important component of management decisions that respond to changing
stressors. A comprehensive field program that addresses scaling of reef metabolism
using remote sensing is detailed as an illustration of this conceptual framework. The
net heterotrophic state of the reef under study is considered to be the result of organic
detritus of land origin, followed by in situ remineralization. This dictates that water
column nutrient concentrations be assessed at the benthic boundary layer to be of
greatest value in management of this reef system.
310
LeDrew and Richardson