Remote sensing stands as the defining technology in our ability to monitor coral reefs, as well as their biophysical properties and associated processes, at regional to global scales. With overwhelming evidence that much of Earths reefs are in decline, our need for large-scale, repeatable assessments of reefs has never been so great. Fortunately, the last two decades have seen a rapid expansion in the ability for remote sensing to map and monitor the coral reef ecosystem, its overlying water column, and surrounding environment.Remote sensing is now a fundamental tool for the mapping, monitoring and management of coral reef ecosystems. Remote sensing offers repeatable, quantitative assessments of habitat and environmental characteristics over spatially extensive areas. As the multi-disciplinary field of coral reef remote sensing continues to mature, results demonstrate that the techniques and capabilities continue to improve. New developments allow reef assessments and mapping to be performed with higher accuracy, across greater spatial areas, and with greater temporal frequency. The increased level of information that remote sensing now makes available also allows more complex scientific questions to be addressed.As defined for this book, remote sensing includes the vast array of geospatial data collected from land, water, ship, airborne and satellite platforms. The book is organized by technology, including: visible and infrared sensing using photographic, multispectral and hyperspectral instruments; active sensing using light detection and ranging (LiDAR); acoustic sensing using ship, autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and in-water platforms; and thermal and radar instruments.

Emphasis and AudienceThis book serves multiple roles. It offers an overview of the current state-of-the-art technologies for reef mapping, provides detailed technical information for coral reef remote sensing specialists,imparts insight on the scientific questions that can be tackled using this technology, and also includes a foundation for those new to reef remote sensing. The individual sections of the book include introductory overviews of four main types of remotely sensed data used to study coral reefs, followed by specific examples demonstrating practical applications of the different technologies being discussed. Guidelines for selecting the most appropriate sensor for particular applications are provided, including an overview of how to utilize remote sensing data as an effective tool in science and management. The text is richly illustrated with examples of each sensing technology applied to a range of scientific, monitoring and management questions in reefs around the world. As such, the book is broadly accessible to a general audience, as well as students, managers, remote sensing specialists and anyone else working with coral reef ecosystems.

Section I Visible and Infrared

1 Visible and Infrared Overview1.1 Introduction1.2 Physical and Technical Principles1.3 Image Processing1.4 Future DirectionsSuggested ReadingReferences

2 Photography Applications2.1 Introduction2.2 Photography of Coral Reefs2.3 Photography Analysis and Classification Techniques2.4 Example Applications of Photography2.5 Conclusions and Future DirectionsSuggested ReadingReferences

3 Multispectral Applications3.1 Introduction3.2 Multispectral Analysis and Classification3.3 Example Applications3.4 Conclusions and Future DirectionsSuggested ReadingReferences

4 Hyperspectral Applications4.1 Introduction4.2 Hyperspectral Planning and Preprocessing4.3 Hyperspectral Algorithms4.4 ConclusionsSuggested ReadingReferences

Section II LiDAR

5 LiDAR Overview5.1 Introduction5.2 Physical Principles5.3 Image Products and Environmental Variables5.4 Processing and Validation RequirementsSuggested ReadingReferences

6 LiDAR Applications6.1 Introduction6.2 Example LiDAR Applications6.3 Future Directions in LiDAR6.4 ConclusionSuggested Reading References

7 Integrated LiDAR and Hyperspectral7.1 Introduction7.2 LiDAR/Hyperspectral Processing7.3 Applications of LiDAR/Hyperspectral Fusion7.4 Summary and DiscussionSuggested ReadingReferences

Section III Acoustic

8 Acoustic Methods Overview8.1 Introduction8.2 Physical and Technical Principles8.3 Applications of Acoustics8.4 ConclusionSuggested ReadingReferences

9 Acoustic Applications9.1 Introduction9.2 Applications9.3 State of the Science and Future DirectionsSuggested ReadingReferences

10 Deep Acoustic Applications10.1 Introduction10.2 History of Mapping Cold-Water Coral Habitats10.3 Cold-Water Coral Mapping Example10.4 Conclusions and RecommendationsSuggested ReadingReferences

Section IV Thermal and Radar

11 Thermal and Radar Overview11.1 Introduction11.2 Thermal Overview11.3 Radar Overview11.4 ConclusionSuggested ReadingReferences

12 Thermal Applications12.1 Introduction12.2 Thermal Data Products and Analysis12.3 Example Thermal Applications12.4 Future DirectionsSuggested ReadingReferences

13 Radar Applications13.1 Introduction13.2 HF Ocean Radar13.3 VHF High Resolution Radar13.4 Synthetic Aperture Radar13.5 Scatterometers13.6 X-band Wave Radars13.7 Conclusions and Future DirectionsSuggested ReadingReferences

Section V Effective Use of Remote Sensing in Science and Management

14 Validation14.1 Introduction14.2 Sampling Design and Accuracy Measures14.3 Validation Literature Review14.4 Conclusions and RecommendationsSuggested ReadingReferences

15 Science and Management15.1 Introduction15.2 Research and Management Needs15.3 Example Applications15.4 Conclusions and RecommendationsSuggested ReadingReferences

Index