Spectral Reflectance of 105 Coral Reef Features from Heron Reef, June 2006

June 25-30, 2006, underwater spectral reflectance was measured for 105 different biotic and abiotic coral reef features at Heron Reef. The data was collected in-situ using an Ocean Optics USB2000 spectrometer with a custom underwater housing and a 0.5 m fiber-optic probe. Spectral reflectance for each target was calculated by correcting for instrument noise and ambient light, then averaging eight readings per target.

Use Cases

• Training machine learning models for coral reef benthic type classification based on spectral signatures.
• Developing algorithms for underwater hyperspectral image analysis and correction based on in-situ reflectance data.
• Calibrating and validating satellite or airborne remote sensing data for coral reef monitoring.
• Studying the spectral properties of biotic (e.g., coral species) and abiotic (e.g., sand, rubble) reef features.

Strengths

• In-situ measurements for 105 distinct benthic types provide a ground-truth spectral library.
• Methodology includes specific corrections for instrument noise and ambient light to improve data fidelity.
• Eight replicate readings per target were averaged, with visual outlier removal, to enhance reliability.

Limitations

• Row count and column-level documentation are unknown, limiting suitability assessment.
• Data is from a single location (Heron Reef) and a narrow time window (June 2006), which may limit generalizability.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

Chris Roelfsema

Collection Method

In-situ spectral readings collected with an Ocean Optics USB2000 spectrometer in a custom underwater housing.

Time Range

June 25-30, 2006

Freshness

Last update date is unknown.

Geography

Heron Reef