Mapping Benthic Distribution in Areas of Shallow Water Using High-resolution Satellite Images

Abstract

Seagrasses/seaweeds and coral reefs are important not to only provide abundant biological ecosystems and protect shores from the impact of waves, but also capture and absorb CO₂ in the “Blue Carbon” cycle. From the Asia Air Survey, we introduce two coastal mapping projects; the one is to investigate the change of seagrasses/seaweeds before and after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, and the other one is to map coral reefs cover in Kerama-shoto Islands to examine to mapping with satellite-based statistical analysis method is able to substitute the current map with visual interpretation by aerial photo.