Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Using Drone Imagery To Map Intertidal Oyster Reefs Along Florida’S Gulf Of Mexico Coast, Michael Espriella, Vincent Lecours
Using Drone Imagery To Map Intertidal Oyster Reefs Along Florida’S Gulf Of Mexico Coast, Michael Espriella, Vincent Lecours
Gulf and Caribbean Research
Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) reefs offer vital ecosystem services and support economically and culturally important fisheries. However, environmental and anthropogenic stressors have led to significant decline in oyster reef coverage globally and locally in places like the Suwannee Sound in Florida, USA. Current monitoring methods are insufficient for timely and accurate assessment of oyster resources in the region. Here we demonstrate how drone imagery can be used to delineate intertidal oyster reef coverage rapidly and reliably. The high spatial resolution offered by drone imagery enables accurate delineations. We use a segmentation algorithm to delineate reefs, which produces consistently …