Remote sensing and zonation of seagrasses and algae along the Kenyan coast
Dahdouh-Guebas, F.; Coppejans, E.; Van Speybroeck, D. (1999). Remote sensing and zonation of seagrasses and algae along the Kenyan coast. Hydrobiologia 400: 63-73 In: Hydrobiologia. Springer: The Hague. ISSN 0018-8158; e-ISSN 1573-5117, more |  |
| Keywords | Distribution
Ecological zonation
Flora > Weeds > Marine organisms > Seaweeds
Flora > Weeds > Marine organisms > Seaweeds > Sea grass
Remote sensing
Remote sensing > Geosensing > Satellite sensing
Sea grasses
Topographic features > Landforms > Coastal landforms > Rocky shores
Topographic features > Landforms > Coasts
Algae
ISW, Kenyan Coast [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | seagrasses; algae; zonation; remote sensing; Thematic Mapper; Kenya |
| Authors | | Top | - Dahdouh-Guebas, F., more
- Coppejans, E., more
- Van Speybroeck, D., more
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| Abstract | Little information has been published on space-borne remote sensing of seagrasses, and no information is available about the distribution of seagrasses and algae in East Africa. Through satellite remote sensing this study investigates the distribution of these plants along a southern section of the Kenyan coast. The visible bands (red, green and blue) and the near infra-red band of a Landsat Thematic Mapper image acquired in 1992 were combined in order to detect seagrasses and algae in 10 sectors along the section of the coast. Ground trusting was done at three locations along the same section. Results indicate that two distinct zones of vegetation can be recognised, and ground trusting reveals their identity is rocky substrate with mostly algae and seagrasses, respectively. The extent of the vegetation in the two zones has been quantified in square kilometres for the 10 sectors. However, care is needed in the interpretation of the satellite images when dealing with artefacts such as clouds. The zonation of the algal vegetation is discussed for one of the study sites. |
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