Updated Satellite Derived Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Distribution Maps for the Great Lakes

Session: Great Lakes Primary Production: Methods, Results, and Management Implications (1)

David Banach, Michigan Technological University/Michigan Tech Research Institute, [email protected]
Reid Sawtell, Michigan Tech Research Inst., [email protected]
Robert Shuchman, Michigan Technological University, [email protected]
Mike Sayers, Michigan Tech. Research Inst., [email protected]
Steve Ruberg, NOAA - GLERL, [email protected]

Abstract

The native green-alga Cladophora is a common nuisance species in the Great Lakes. Under favorable conditions, this benthic alga can achieve dense growth on suitable substrates in the nearshore zone where sufficient light can reach the lake bottom. The prolific growth of Cladophora and other submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) fouls beaches and water intakes, harms aesthetics, impacts regional economics and other ecosystem services. Satellite remote sensing offers the ability to not only identify SAV in the Great Lakes, but also the capacity to observe changes in spatial distribution over time. MTRI has generated satellite derived Great Lakes basin-wide SAV distribution maps corresponding to 2008-2011 vegetative season as part of a funded GLRI project. Moreover, SAV growth trends were also produced for several select locations throughout the Great Lakes, indicating significant increases in SAV extent from 1975-2011. New satellite platforms (Landsat-8, Sentinel-2, OLCI/Sentinel-3) have recently been deployed that possess the spatial and spectral characteristics to map SAV in the Great Lakes. These systems can provide continuity with existing satellite derived products and offer the potential to better estimate biomass and benthic productivity. We have utilized these new sensing platforms to generate an updated present-day Great Lakes basin-wide assessment of SAV distribution.