Applications of Side Scan and Parametric Echosounders for Mapping Shallow Seagrass Habitats and Their Associated Organic Carbon

Author

Austin L. Greene, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

5-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Dr. Abdullah Rahman

Second Advisor

Dr. Richard Kline

Third Advisor

Dr. Preston Wilson

Abstract

Despite a global valuation of $1.9 trillion seagrass habitats world-wide are in decline—directly impacting the large soil carbon stocks associated with seagrasses. Many methods exist to measure the health of seagrass habitats, yet few apply to shallow coastal ecosystems. Those that do lack spatial resolution (satellite surveys) or do not provide continuous data across large areas (point-based surveys). Furthermore, carbon content of these ecosystems is largely limited to destructive and time-consuming soil core sampling. Side scan and parametric acoustics represent a unique technological opportunity to study habitat coverage and carbon content of vegetated coastal habitats (< 3 m depth). This study presents proof of concept for applications of recreational side scan and parametric sub-bottom profiling sonars in mapping both habitat coverage and organic carbon distribution in shallow seagrass habitats, and explores how these methods might be improved in future applications.

Comments

Copyright 2017 Austin L. Greene. All Rights Reserved.

https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/applications-side-scan-parametric-echosounders/docview/1938659442/se-2?accountid=7119

Recommended Citation

Greene, Austin L., "Applications of Side Scan and Parametric Echosounders for Mapping Shallow Seagrass Habitats and Their Associated Organic Carbon" (2017). Theses and Dissertations. 122.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/122