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

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

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

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

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.

SBC-LTER SCUBA Measurements of Frond Density and Biomass

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

NDVI Comparison with LTER SCUBA Measurements y = 14.33x - 0.13 r2 = 0.48 p < 1*10-5 y = 14.17x + 0.74

Regional Kelp Biomass Maps Created from biomass-NDVI regression Calculated by pixel, kelp patch, or administrative bed Beds 21-30 (11/01/2006) : ~8,600 metric tons wet weight

Arroyo Quemado Time Series 2006 02/09/2006 04/13/2006 06/04/2006 1475000 kg 1345000 kg 1688000 kg 08/15/2006 11/01/2006 12/23/2006 883000 kg 827000 kg 1013000 kg

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 104600 kg 229000 kg 63300 kg