Using Advanced Mapping to Measure Changes in Mangrove and Seagrass Habitat over Time - NERRS/NSC(NERRS Science Collaborative)

This project evaluated ecosystem damage and recovery by developing a time series of habitat maps for the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Habitat maps were created based on WorldView-2 and Landsat-8 satellite imagery from 2010-2018 using an automated technique and validated with a field campaign. Landsat images were mapped using the Support Vector Machine machine learning method in ENVI, and WorldView images were mapped using a preliminary version of the SOALCHI decision tree algorithm. Habitats mapped include healthy mangrove, degraded mangrove, marsh, upland vegetation, soil, and water. Habitat change maps document the damage caused by Hurricane Irma in September of 2017 as it made landfall in the reserve as a Category 4 storm. Project outputs include field-survey results with GPS points, a baseline habitat map, annual habitat seasons for 2016-2018, and habitat change assessments. Outcomes include the development of new research collaborations, quantitative characterization of reserve habitat change, improved understanding of critical habitat change dynamics, and assessment of chronic and extreme-event disturbance and recovery.