Evaluation of Airborne Video Imagery for Distinguishing Intertidal Oyster Reefs

by F. W. Judd, Univ of Texas-Pan American, South Padre Island, United States,
D. L. Hockaday, Univ of Texas-Pan American, South Padre Island, United States,
J. H. Everitt, Univ of Texas-Pan American, South Padre Island, United States,
D. E. Escobar, Univ of Texas-Pan American, South Padre Island, United States,
M. R. Davis, Univ of Texas-Pan American, South Padre Island, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '93

Abstract:

We evaluated the effectiveness of airborne video imagery in distinguishing and mapping oyster (Crassostrea virginica) reefs in Aransas Bay on the southern Texas gulf coast. Imagery obtained using a high resolution multispectral videosystem was compared with color infrared (CIR) aerial photography of the same oyster reef. The reef was clearly visible in the video imagery, but the video image lacked the detailed resolution of the CIR photograph. And, the mean deviation from ground measures was significantly smaller for measurements taken from the CIR photography. Videography may be most useful when employed in conjunction with a global positioning system to locate exactly the positions of oyster reefs (and their approximate sizes) in a large area. Because video imagery can be acquired more cheaply than aerial photographs, the cost of the survey would be less. Subsequently, photography may be used to map the sizes of specific reefs where the accuracy of size estimates is crucial.

Subject Headings: Computer vision and image processing | Reefs and sills | Mapping | Aerial photography | Hydrographic surveys | Photography | Global positioning systems | Texas | United States

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