Memorial University DAI: Mapping of salmon habitat parameters using digital airborne imagery

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Document Description

Title	Mapping of salmon habitat parameters using digital airborne imagery
Author	Puestow, Thomas, 1967-
Description	Thesis (M. Sc.), Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1999. Geography
Date	1998
Pagination	137 leaves : col ill, col. maps
Subject	Atlantic salmon--Habitat--Newfoundland and Labrador--Remote sensing
Degree	M. Sc.
Degree Grantor	Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dept. of Geography
Language	Eng
Notes	Bibliography: p. 105-113
Abstract	This study focuses on the application of airborne remote sensing and image classification to the mapping of bottom substrate, channel pattern and land cover as important freshwater habitat parameters for Atlantic salmon. A Compact Airborne Spectrometric Imager (CASI) was used to collect multispectral image data with approximately 20 nm wide bands centred at wavelengths of 510, 590, 660 and 730 nm. Image preprocessing included a first order atmospheric correction for path radiance and geometric registration to the UTM reference system. Numerical transforms on the imagery included principal component transformations on original and logarithmized spectral bands, as well as the derivation of a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Ancillary information consisted of valley gradient and stream width. Valley gradient was derived from elevation data contained in a 1:50.000 digital map sheet. Stream width was extracted from the image data. The river course was divided in sections of approximately equal length (30 m), and the average width of each segment was calculated from its length and area. The importance of individual predictor variables for the extraction of the habitat parameters was established using the mean response for each predictor variable, standardized distance matrices and plots of group variability. Separate image classifications were carried out for substrate type, channel pattern and land cover using a hierarchical decision tree algorithm. The end nodes of the final classification trees were implemented as classification rules in a FORTRAN program. Classification accuracy was assessed using an independently collected test sample. The observed overall classification accuracies were 66.87 %, 38.11 % and 84.91 % for substrate type, channel pattern and land cover, respectively. Overall accuracy was significantly improved for the habitat parameters substrate type and channel pattern by combining categories of these variables according to their significance in designating suitable spawning habitat. The revised overall accuracy values for these habitat parameters were 73.76 % and 64.47 %, respectively. Finally, substrate type and channel pattern were combined to create composite maps of spawning habitat suitability. The resulting stratification of salmon spawning habitats corresponds well with the findings of earlier investigations. Therefore, the value of the methodology developed in this study for the management and protection of freshwater salmon habitat was successfully demonstrated.
Type	Text
Format	Image/jpeg; Application/pdf
Source	Paper copy kept in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, Memorial University Libraries
Local Identifier	a1357502
Rights	The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.
Collection	Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Scanning Status	Completed
PDF File	(16.94 MB) -- http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/theses/Puestow_Thomas.pdf
CONTENTdm file name	152634.cpd