Optimal spatial resolution for coral reef mapping

Changes in reef health or status have been related to coral accretion and destruction. These essential processes act to influence reef morphology and zonation-a physically observable characteristic, able to be distinguished using satellite imagery. Monitoring changes over time related to reef ecology relies on the accurate mapping of these zones and their change due to ecological processes. Accurate reef geomorphic or coral density zonation maps can also be used to scale-up field data and provide estimates of biological processes occurring within these zones, or to form the basis for locating field sampling sites condition. The aim of the present project is to identify the optimal spatial scale (GRE-ground resolution element) for using image classification techniques to map coral density zones on Heron Reef, Queensland, Australia using airborne or satellite multispectral image data.