Abstract
Using the Automated Feature Analyst Extension in ArcGIS to Map the 2008 Distribution of Intertidal Vegetation in Padilla Bay, Washington
Track: Ocean, Coastal, and Marine Resources
Author(s): Suzanne Shull
True-color aerial photography (acquired on Sept 11, 2008 on a 0.2’ tide and orthorectified in-house) was used to map the intertidal vegetation in the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) of Washington State. The protocols used to map, classify, and accuracy assess the vegetation polygons met the requirements of the NERR Habitat Mapping and Change Plan (i.e. 0.1 ha minimum mapping unit, standard habitat classification scheme, and accuracy of the image rectification). Polygon delineation included interpretation using the automated Feature Analyst extension by Overwatch. About 400 groundtruth data points were acquired throughout the summer low-tide days and were used for driving the classification or for the accuracy assessment of the results. The results are intended to be used as a basemap to detect future change relative to climate change effects and for comparison to earlier map products created from aerial photo interpretation using zoom-transfer scope in 1989 (Bulthuis 1995) and on-screen digitization in 2000 and 2004 (Bulthuis and Shull 2002, 2006).
Suzanne Shull
WA State Dept. of Ecology-Padilla Bay Reserve
10441 BayView-Edison Road
Mt. Vernon , Washington 98273
United States
Phone: 360-428-1092
E-mail: sshull@padillabay.gov