Hyperspectral imagery of the main eight Hawaiian islands, focusing on Oahu, was collected for coral reef and benthic habitat mapping. The AURORA system captured 72 spectral bands in the visible and near-infrared range at a 3-meter pixel resolution. This cooperative project was led by NOAA, the University of Hawaii, and Analytical Laboratories of Hawaii, with data processed around the year 2000.
Use Cases
- Compare benthic habitat maps generated from this 72-band hyperspectral imagery against those from color aerial photography or IKONOS satellite imagery.
- Analyze coral reef community structure over time using the optimized spectral bands for feature detection in shallow and deep water.
- Delineate boundaries of benthic features using the 3-meter resolution georeferenced imagery within habitat digitization software.
- Investigate coral health by leveraging the enhanced spectral resolution across the visible and near-infrared range.
Strengths
- 72 spectral bands provide high spectral resolution for feature discrimination.
- 3-meter pixel resolution offers detailed spatial data for habitat delineation.
Limitations
- Data is from approximately the year 2000, making it temporally stale for current reef condition analysis.
- Unknown sample size and geographic coverage beyond the main Hawaiian islands.
Provenance
- Source
- NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, University of Hawaii, Analytical Laboratories of Hawaii.
- Collection Method
- Data collected by the AURORA hyperspectral imaging system and processed to optimize band widths for feature detection.
- Time Range
- Approximately 2000.
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Main eight Hawaiian Islands, with specific focus on Oahu.