Retrospective seagrass change detection in a shallow coastal tidal Australian lake

Satellite imagery was used to detect the change in seagrass and macroalgal communities of a shallow coastal lake over a period of 14 years. The lake benthic material was classified into sets of spectral classes representing the patterns and texture of the ecosystem, and then linked to environmentally relevant labels through a radiative transfer model. The classification results for 2002 achieved an accuracy of 76% for the least understood areas; other areas were significantly better, but not quantified. Classification results of 1988, 1991, and 1995 were consistent with past surveys and maps. Based on the change detection from 1988 to 2002 Posidonia, Ruppia and Halophila change slightly in the 14 year period from 1988 to 2002. However, Zostera has undergone significant change and adaptation. Early in the time series (between 1988 and 1991) a reduction in Zostera beds was evident, especially in the middle and south of the lake with some areas not returning by 2002. Epiphytic growth over Zostera could be a confounding factor here, but the Landsat sensors do not have sufficient spectral resolution to detect these subtleties. Hyperspectral remote sensing could resolve this issue more clearly.

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