Case study on cost and time for habitat mapping

For a case study in Fiji, eight different remote sensing based mapping methods were applied to create a habitat map of a coral reef which is 14km².

The methods applied varied in: mapping approach, field data set, image data set and applied image corrections. Each link provides an explanations of each of the individual items. For each method the actual time needed and the associated cost were calculated, and present an indication for this case of the variation in time and cost for mapping methods.

Time includes the time needed: to organise the project; to analyse and process image and field data; to write a report; and to conduct the field data collection. See below

Mapping approach	Field data	Image data	Image correction	Time (days)

Delineating	Community knowledge	Landsat TM 5	Non
	Expert knowledge	Landsat TM 5	Non
	Photo transect	RGB Google Earth	Non

Supervised classification	Expert knowledge	Quickbird	Basic
	Spot check	Quickbird	Basic
	Photo transect	Quickbird	Basic
	Photo transect	Quickbird	Complex
	Photo transect	Landsat	Basic

Cost includes: cost for field work, office work and image purchase, see below

Mapping approach	Field data	Image data	Image correction	Actual cost ($US)

Delineating	Community knowledge	Landsat TM 5	Non
	Expert knowledge	Landsat TM 5	Non
	Photo transect	RGB Google Earth	Non

Supervised classification	Expert knowledge	Quickbird	Basic
	Spot check	Quickbird	Basic
	Photo transect	Quickbird	Basic
	Photo transect	Quickbird	Complex
	Photo transect	Landsat	Basic

References:

Roelfsema, C.M., and S.R. Phinn (2010). Calibration and Validation of Coral Reef Benthic Community Maps: Integration of Field Data with High Spatial Resolution Multi Spectral Satellite Imagery. Journal of Applied Remote Sensing.

Roelfsema, C.M. and S.R. Phinn (2008). Evaluating Eight Field and Remote Sensing Approaches for Mapping the Benthos of Three Different Coral Reef Environments in Fiji. In: Proceedings of SPIE Asia Pacific Remote Sensing Conference – Remote Sensing of Inlands, Coastal and Oceanic Water, Noumea, New Caledonia, 17-21 November 2008, Volume 7150.