FN Archimer Export Format PT J TI Thematic mapping of reefs by processing of simulated SPOT satellite data : application to the Trochus niloticus biotope on Tetembia reef (New Caledonia) BT AF BOUR, W LOUBERSAC, Lionel RUAL, P AS 1:1;2:2;3:3; FF 1:;2:;3:; C1 ORSTOM, Noumea, Nouvelle Calédonie Ifremer, brest, France ORSTOM, Brest, France C2 ORSTOM, FRANCE IFREMER, FRANCE ORSTOM, FRANCE IN WOS Ifremer jusqu'en 2018 IF 1.928 TC 16 UR https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00090/20084/17721.pdf LA English DT Article AB Exploitation of Trochus niloticus is important for Pacific islanders. The shell yields valuable mother of pearl of wich 2.000 tons were exported from New Caledonia in 1978. Knowledge of the exploitable stock requires a good estimate of the surface area occupied by this gastropod which colonises dead coral reefs. Because trochus environments in New Caledonia are very extensive and access is difficult, synoptic methods of estimation are called for. High resolution remote sensing appears to be a particularly suitable method. Simulation of images to be obtained from the French SPOT satellite was carried out in New Caledonia in decemlber 1983. This paper deals with the method used to process the digital high resolution images that will be produced by SPOT. Results are presented as thematic maps of the main reef environment types, with their respective surface areas. Among hard reef bottom covers, the trochus environment was finely analysed and areas identified were compared with ground truth observations and with areial photograph interpretation. The potential usefulness of high resolution SPOT images is confirmed for thematic mapping and evaluation of shallow living reef resources. PY 1986 PD DEC SO Marine Ecology Progress Series SN 0171-8630 PU Inter-research VL 34 IS 3 UT A1986F515500004 BP 243 EP 249 DI 10.3354/meps034243 ID 20084 ER EF