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Developing High Resolution Baseline Coast Resource Maps Using World View 2 Imagery for a Coastal Village in Fiji
Environmental Education Research
  • Ashneel Ajay Singh, The University of Fiji
  • Anish Maharaj, The University of Fiji
  • Michelle Kumar, The University of Fiji
  • Priyatma Singh, The University of Fiji
  • Sanjay Singh, The University of Fiji
  • Frank Muller-Karger, University of South Florida
  • Matthew James Mccarthy, University of South Florida
  • Lionel Joseph, The University of Fiji
  • Herve Damlamian, Pacific Community
  • Zulfikar Begg, Pacific Community
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2019
Keywords
  • GIS,
  • coastal resource,
  • benthic cover,
  • Fiji,
  • WorldView-2,
  • satellite imagery
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2019.1633274
Disciplines
Abstract

In Fiji, like most Pacific Island countries, there have been numerous reports of degradation of coastal resources, including adverse changes in abundance and stock distribution of numerous aquatic species associated with the coastal habitat. To develop effective management plans, assessment of existing coastal resources is pertinent. High spatial resolution satellite imagery, combined with geographic information systems allow for efficient and synoptic mapping of coastal resources to provide a baseline for developing effective and improved management plans. The purpose of this study was to develop a baseline habitat map of the intertidal benthic cover in Komave Village, Coral Coast, Sigatoka, Fiji. Resource mapping was based on high resolution (2 m) WorldView-2 imagery. Ground-truthing was attained by means of on-site data logging of the intertidal resources, image capturing and GPS recording. Based on these records, the benthic cover was classified into seven classes: ‘coral,’ ‘algae,’ ‘brown algae,’ ‘volcanic rocks,’ ‘sand and gravel,’ ‘sea grass,’ and ‘bare.’ Ground referencing points were randomly assigned for either supervised classification training or accuracy assessment. A community participatory research approach was used to conduct interviews to assimilate information on fishing sites and coastal land use activities. This exercise explored the social-ecological approach in natural resource management and how it can become an important tool in coastal conservation practices. The coastal resource map generated through this study serves as a baseline for monitoring the status and spatial distribution of the coastal resources in Komave. Annual mapping of the resources and enrichment of maps along with iterative village consultation will enable managers to develop and gauge the effectiveness of coastal management plans. This high resolution map is particularly relevant to Fiji as it is the first of its kind for the country. This work also serves to reduce the global information gap of coastal resource status for Fiji.

Rights Information
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
Citation / Publisher Attribution

Frontiers in Marine Science, v. 6, art. 207

Citation Information
Ashneel Ajay Singh, Anish Maharaj, Michelle Kumar, Priyatma Singh, et al.. "Developing High Resolution Baseline Coast Resource Maps Using World View 2 Imagery for a Coastal Village in Fiji" Environmental Education Research Vol. 6 (2019)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/frank_muller-karger/58/