Hyperspectral Coral Reef Imagery for Hawaiian Islands

AURORA hyperspectral imaging captured 72 spectral bands at 3-meter resolution to map benthic habitats around Oahu. This cooperative project involved NOAA, the University of Hawaii, and Analytical Laboratories of Hawaii to develop and compare coral reef mapping methods. Data collection and processing were completed around the year 2000.

Use Cases

• Classify benthic habitat types using 72 ten-nanometer spectral bands in the visible and near-infrared range.
• Analyze coral reef community structure over time by comparing hyperspectral imagery with IKONOS satellite and aerial photography data.
• Detect features in shallow and deep water by applying processing techniques that optimize band widths for feature detection.
• Delineate boundaries of underwater features through photointerpretation of the 3-meter pixel resolution georeferenced imagery.

Strengths

• 72 spectral bands provide high-resolution data for feature discrimination.
• 3-meter pixel resolution offers detailed spatial information for habitat mapping.

Limitations

• Data is from approximately the year 2000, limiting analysis of recent coral reef changes.
• Specific sample size (rows/image count) and geographic coverage beyond Oahu are unknown.

Provenance

Source

NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment.

Collection Method

Data collected by the AURORA hyperspectral imaging system and processed for optimized feature detection.

Time Range

Approximately 2000.

Freshness

null

Geography

Main Eight Hawaiian Islands, specifically Oahu.