1. Remote Sensing of Macrocystis with SPOT Imagery
Surface canopy of giant kelp exhibits high near infrared (NIR) reflectance
SPOT imagery well suited to differentiate kelp

2. Kelp Canopy Delineation
Utilizes the high NIR reflectance of kelp canopy
2 calculations performed on the atmospherically corrected image: principal components (PC) rotation and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index)
PC band 2 expresses variations in NIR reflectance
Kelp covered pixels show high PC band 2 and NDVI values

3. Canopy Delineation Process
PC band 2 image
Kelp delineation
SPOT 3,2,1 stretched image
SPOT 3,2,1 image
3(NIR)/1(green) band ratio
NDVI image

4. Canopy Cover Validation
Normalized SPOT cover measurements compared with normalized high resolution 2004 CDFG aerial kelp survey
y = 0.96x + 0
r2: 0.92
p: < 1*10-12

5. SBC-LTER SCUBA Measurements of Frond Density and Biomass
Monthly SCUBA measurements of frond density and biomass made at Arroyo Quemado (AQUE), Arroyo Burro (ABUR), and Mohawk (MOHK) kelp beds.

6. SBC-LTER SCUBA Measurements of Frond Density and Biomass

7. Satellite Biomass Estimation
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)
(NIR-RED)
(NIR+RED)
Calculated for areas of kelp cover
LTER transect
at Mohawk
NDVI
Transform

8. NDVI Comparison with LTER SCUBA Measurements
y = 14.33x
r2 = 0.48
p < 1*10-5
y = 14.17x

9. Regional Kelp Biomass Maps
Created from biomass-NDVI regression
Calculated by pixel, kelp patch, or administrative bed
Beds (11/01/2006) : ~8,600 metric tons wet weight

10. Arroyo Quemado Time Series 2006
02/09/2006
04/13/2006
06/04/2006 kg kg kg
08/15/2006
11/01/2006
12/23/2006 kg kg kg

11. Arroyo Burro & Mohawk Time Series 2006
02/09/2006
04/13/2006
06/04/2006
0 kg
6281 kg
11200 kg
08/15/2006
11/01/2006
12/23/2006 kg kg
63300 kg