Abstract
Traditional approaches for biomass assessment of estuarine macrophytes over vast areas are time consuming. A methodology for quick and accurate biomass estimation of macrophytes, growing at intertidal mudflats, has been developed and verified. Using a calculated relation between biomass and colour densities on the aerial photographs, biomass of macrophytes over a large area (ca 900 ha) could be assessed with an accuracy of about 10%. Biomass estimates could be partitioned over seagrasses, various green algae and brown algae.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Adams, M. S., F. L. Scarpace, J. D. Scherz and W. J. Waeltkerling. Assessment of aquatic environment by remote sensing. Inst. Env. Studies Univ. Wisconsin-Madison, Rep. no. 84, 1–235 (1977)
Colwell, R. N. (ed.): Manual of remote sensing, 2nd ed., Vol. 1 Theory, instruments and techniques, 1232 pp. Falls Church: Am. Society of Photogrammetry 1983
Coulson, M. G., J. T. C. Budd, R. G. Withers and D. J. Nicholls: Remote sensing and field sampling of mudflat organisms in Langstone and Chichester Harbours, Southern England. In: The shore environment 1: Methods, pp 241–263. Ed. by J. H. Price, D. E. G. Irvine and W. F. Farnham, London: Systematics Association, Academic Press 1980
Curran, P.: Relative reflectance data from preprocessed multispectral photography: Int. J. Remote Sensing 1-1, 77–83 (1980)
Kamat, D. C., M. Ajai, S. K. Sinha, G. S. Chaturvedi and A. K. Singh: Remote sensing of plant physiological parameters. Proc. of Int. Symp. ISPRS Comm VII, Vol. 24-VII/1, pp 1013–1022, 1982
Kelly, M. G.: Remote sensing of seagrass beds. In: Handbook of seagrass biology, pp 69–85. Ed. by R. C. Phillips and C. P. McRoy, New York: Garland STPM Press 1980
Lillesand, T. M. and R. W. Kiefer: Remote sensing and image interpretation, 612 pp. New York: John Wiley & Sons 1979
Meulstee, C. and H. T. C. van Stokkom: Biomassaschatting van macrofyten met behulp van false colour luchtfotografie (Biomass estimation of macrophytes using aerial false colour photography). Internal report, Survey Department Rijkswatestaat, Delft, The Netherlands 1985
Nienhuis, P. H.: Temporal and spatial patterns of eelgrass (Zostera marina) in a former estuary in the Netherlands, dominated by human activities. Mar. technol. Soc. J. 17, 69–77 (1983)
Nienhuis, P. H. and B. H. H. de Bree: Production and ecology of eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) in the Grevelingen estuary, before and after the closure. Hydrobiol. 52, 55–66 (1977)
Orth, R. J. and K. A. Moore: Submerged vascular plants: techniques for analyzing their distribution and abundance. Mar. technol. Soc. J. 17, 38–52 (1983)
Raitala, J., H. Jantunen and J. Lampinen: Application of Landsat satellite data for mapping aquatic areas in North-Eastern Finland. Aquat. Bot. 21, 285–294 (1985)
Raitala, J. and J. Lampinen: A Landsat study of the aquatic vegetation of the Lake Luodonjärvi reservoir, Western Finland. Aquat. Bot. 21, 325–346 (1985)
Slater, P. N.: Remote sensing: optics and optical systems, 575 pp., Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley Comp. 1980
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe
Communication No. 330 Delta Institute for Hydrobiological Research, Yerseke, The Netherlands
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Meulstee, C., Nienhuis, P.H. & Van Stokkom, H.T.C. Biomass assessment of estuarine macrophytobenthos using aerial photography. Mar. Biol. 91, 331–335 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00428626
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00428626