Abstract
MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 365:45-55 (2008) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07456 Spatial variation of chlorophyll on estuarine mudflats determined by field-based remote sensing R. J. Murphy*, T. J. Tolhurst, M. G. Chapman, A. J. Underwood Centre for Research on Ecological Impacts of Coastal Cities, Marine Ecology Laboratories A11, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia *Email: rmurphy@bio.usyd.edu.au ABSTRACT: We present an approach to field-based remote sensing of the spatial variation of chlorophyll (as an index of microphytobenthic biomass) in intertidal soft sediments using digital colour-infrared imagery. Variation in amounts of chlorophyll a was quantified from small (cm) to large (100 m) scales within a single tidal cycle, using levels of replication and resolution that would be difficult to achieve using conventional sampling strategies. Eight scales of interest were selected: 100, 50, 2 and 1 m, and 40, 8, 4 and <2 cm. These scales have been associated with variability in chlorophyll in previous studies. The fully hierarchical design allowed spatial variance to be estimated independently at each chosen spatial scale. Data were collected along 2 replicate transects at 2 locations within each of 2 different estuaries. A strong linear relationship was found between measured chlorophyll and image estimates of chlorophyll. Replicate transects in 2 of the 4 locations showed similar patterns of variability across spatial scales. Relatively large amounts of variability were found at the smallest spatial scales (4 and <2 cm) and at the 40 cm scale, but the 8 cm scale was an unimportant source of variation. At some scales, transects gave similar results, providing generality to the conclusions reached. At other scales, transects gave quite different results, drawing attention to problems of inferring ecological processes when there are only single sets of data. Large differences in variability were also found from location to location. These patterns suggest that spatial variability is governed by complex interactions between fauna, microflora and sediment. KEY WORDS: Chlorophyll · Intertidal mudflat · Remote sensing · Spatial scale · Variation · Microphytobenthos Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Murphy RJ, Tolhurst TJ, Chapman MG, Underwood AJ (2008) Spatial variation of chlorophyll on estuarine mudflats determined by field-based remote sensing. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 365:45-55. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07456 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 365. Online publication date: August 18, 2008 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2008 Inter-Research.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
