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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
Peer reviewed article  

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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

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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