Comparison of DMC, UltraCam, and ADS40 Imagery for Benthic Habitat and Propeller Scar Mapping

• Published in: Photogrammetric engineering and remote sensing 2011-06, Vol.77 (6), p.589-599
• Main Authors: Green, Kass, Tukman, Mark, Finkbeiner, Mark
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied geophysics; Biological and medical sciences; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects. Techniques; Internal geophysics; Marine; Teledetection and vegetation maps
• ISSN: 0099-1112; 2374-8079
• DOI: 10.14358/PERS.77.6.589

This article compares the use of ADS40-52, DMC, and ULTRA-CAMD digital airborne camera imagery for mapping benthic habitat and identifying boat propeller scars in seagrass habitats. The three image data sets were collected over Redfish Bay, Texas on the same day, under almost identical environmental conditions. Next, the data sets were compared to each another using a variety of criteria. Finally, automated methods were used to create maps of propeller scars and the accuracy of each map was analyzed. Significant findings include* Digital airborne ADS40-52, DMC, and ULTRACAM imagery can be used to effectively map benthic habitat and propeller scars.* Imagery from the DMC and ADS40-52 had the highest spatial accuracy.* Spectral separatability of benthic habitat class and propeller scars is best in the DMC and the ADS40-52 imagery.* The accuracy of propeller scar maps was highest for maps produced from the ADS40-52 data.