The use of remote sensing in a study of submerged aquatic macrophytes of the Pamlico River Estuary, N.C. / by Joseph E. Harwood.
| Author/creator | Harwood, Joseph E. author. |
| Other author | Davis, Graham J., degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Biology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 1975. |
| Description | ix, 75 leaves : illustrations, map ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | The feasibility of using aerial photography from fixed winged aircraft to differentiate species of aquatic macrophytes and estimate their biomass was investigated. A Spectral Data Model 10 multispectral camera with Kodak Infrared Aerographlc 2424 film and a hand held 35 mm camera with panchromatic, color, and color-IR film were used during four flights along the shallow margins of the Pamlico River estuary during the summer and fall, 1973. Remote sensing flights were made in conjunction with the acquisition of ground truth data from 27 transects randomly located in the upper one-half of the river. Ground truth consisted of species density, water depth, perpendicular distance from shore, and turbidity. Submerged plant beds were discernible with all film types but less desirable results were obtained in the near-IR band of the raultlspectral photography. Even though biomass estimates were not possible with existing techniques, two species, Valllsnerla americana and Potamoget̤n perfoliatus var. bupleuroldes, were differentiated using color patterns due in part to differences in plant density and growth form. Plant density, species distribution, and phytosoclologlcal relationships (ground truth data) as related water depth and distance from shore were also investigated. Maximum mean plant density, 26 plants/0.1 m², occurred at 60 cm. Minimum mean density, 2 plants/0.1 occurred between 130 and 160 cm depth. No plants were recorded beyond 160 cm in the study strata. Plant density values between 50 and 90 cm were shown to be significantly different from values at other depths. Correlation analyses revealed that the depth-density relationship of Najas guadalupensis and Potamoget̤n perfoliatus var. bupleuroides were significantly correlated with water depth. Najas guadalupensis was positively correlated whereas Potamoget̤n perfoliatus var. bupleuroides exhibited a negative relationship. No significant correlations were determined for water depth and Vallisnerla americana or Ruppia mar̕tima. No significant relationships were determined for species density and distance from shore. Twelve different combinations of species were observed during the study. Vallisnerla americana was the dominant species in the estuary and was found in 83% of all quadrats containing vegetation either as a single species or in combination with one or more species. Quadrats containing only one species other than V. americana accounted for only 16% of the total quadrats which contained vegetation. Potamoget̤n perfoliatus was the sub-dominant species in the study area followed by Najas guadalupensis and Ruppia mar̕tima. |
| General note | "Presented to the faculty of the Department of Biology ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Biology." |
| General note | Advisor: Graham J. Davis |
| Dissertation note | M.A. East Carolina University 1975 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-75). |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |