Using Aerial Imagery and GPS Ground Truth Data to Measure Water Quality in a California Estuary.

Abstract:

My GEOPATHS Internship at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve focused on using GPS ground truthing to improve remote habitat and species classification techniques. Habitat and species abundances and distributions can be used as indicators of water quality in wetland environments. While water quality can be measured accurately via installed instrumentation, these measurements fail to quantify water quality over broad areas. The growth of algae can be used as a proxy for water quality in an estuarine environment, as well-flushed estuaries lack the stagnant, eutrophicated water that promotes algal growth. This study aims to aid with the implementation of this proxy by using GPS ground truthing to increase the quality of remote classifications. The results of this study will inform ongoing restoration projects aimed at improving water quality at various sites in the Elkhorn Slough in central California. This internship has allowed me to gain experience using GPS and water quality measurement instruments, as well as to enhance my abilities in using software such as ArcGIS and MATLAB. I will share the results of my project and experiences in the program.