Figure 4 shows the spectral signals that upwell from different types of reef 

 habitats in relation to the blue waters of the nearshore Gulf Stream. Different 

 habitats are clearly distinguishable. The calculated MSS ratios for each habitat 

 are also different, suggesting that reefs and their associated habitats may be 

 distinguishable and quantitatively studied using multispectral spacecraft imagery. 



CONCLUSIONS 



While our work is by no means complete, we are beginning to show that an 

 understanding of the bio-optics of the system can contribute to our understanding 

 of the dynamics of coral reef ecosystems. The techniques that I have described 

 suggest that optical measurements can be used to estimate the input of light energy 

 into benthic ecosystems at various depths and habitats. Such data are necessary 

 to understand and compare the energetics of coral reef communities and the degree 

 to which the process of primary production varies and influences the organization 

 of the ecosystem. The studies described in this communication are parallel to 

 laboratory and field investigations on marine phytoplankton. The techniques 

 are nondestructive, which means that the same environment can be repeatedly 

 sampled. The measurements can be made over a variety of temporal and spatial 

 scales, providing the potential to investigate large areas of coral reef ecosys- 

 tems. The results are encouraging and suggest that with more research into the 

 optics of coral reefs we may be able to use the techniques of remote sensing to 

 routinely delineate, monitor, and, perhaps, manage these coral reef ecosystems. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 



This work could not have been completed without the collaboration of 

 Charles R. Booth, Biospherical Instruments Inc., and Albert R. Hibbs, Jet 

 Propulsion Laboratory. Edmund Woloszyn and John Halas helped complete the 

 field work in the Florida Keys. Special thanks go to Captain Mark Glisson, 

 Florida Department of Natural Resources, for logistical support at John Pennekamp 

 Coral Reef State Park. This research was funded by the National Science 

 Foundation (NSF OCE 76-81071), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

 (NA 82-AAA-02880), and the College of Charleston. This is Contribution Number 

 66 from the Grice Marine Biological Laboratory. 



LITERATURE CITED 



Abbott, M. R., P. J. Richerson, and T. M. Powell. 1982. "In-Situ Response of 

 Phytoplankton Fluorescence to Rapid Variations in Light." Limnol . Oceanogr. 

 27:218-225. 



Booth, C. R., and P. Dustan. 1979. "Diver-Operable Multiwavelength Radiometer." 

 Proc. Soc. Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers 196:33-39. 



Dustan, P. 1982. "Depth-Dependent Photoadaptation by Zooxanthel lae of the 

 Reef Coral Montastrea annularis ." Mar. Biol . 68:253-264. 



Gordon, H. R., D. K. Clarke, J. L. Mueller, and W. A. Hovis. 1981. "Phytoplankton 

 Pigments From the Nimbus-7 Coastal Zone Color Scanner: Comparisons With 

 Surface Measurements." Science 210:63-66. 



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