Remote Sensing of Wetland Types: Sea Grasses

Seagrasses occur in shallow coastal waters across the world, and are comprised of single or mixed species meadows that are often interspersed with various other benthic cover types, including macroalgae, mangroves and corals. Seagrass habitats play key trophic and structural roles in maintaining marine ecosystems and associated economic resources (e.g., fisheries). With recent emphasis on “Blue Carbon,” the importance of seagrass habitat as a carbon sink is also increasingly being recognized. Knowing the changing extent, composition and condition of seagrasses, as well as differentiating it from other submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and benthic cover types is important for their conservation and management. Remote sensing provides an opportunity to monitor large areas of seagrass habitat without having to physically survey it, and in many cases remote sensing approaches are more cost-effective. Remote sensing can also enable monitoring when it is infeasible (e.g., too deep, too turbid) or dangerous (e.g., crocodiles, stingers) to survey in the water.