The use of remote sensing to estimate changes of seagrass extent and biomass in Cockburn Sound, Western Australia

[摘要] The extent of seagrasses in Cockburn Sound was examined using Nearmap images of year 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016 to be compared to the last assessment in 1999. It was identified that the seagrass coverage has increased by 231 Ha since 1999, with most of the growth occurred in the southern part. While the water quality in Cockburn Sound has improved, it is believed that there are other pressures affecting the slow growth rate of the seagrasses. Seagrass biomass was also evaluated using Landsat images of year 1994, 1999, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016 in addition to a field survey data of leaf biomass in 2016. Despite its increasing extent, seagrass in Cockburn Sound indicated a declining biomass since 1994, which is believed due to the changing nutrient content.

[发布机构] University of Western Australia, Perth; 6009, Australia^1

[效力级别] 生态环境科学

[关键词] Field surveys;Landsat images;Leaf biomass;Nutrient contents;Seagrasses;Slow growth rates;Western Australia