Preprint Article Version 2 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Mapping of Cold-Water Coral Carbonate Mounds Based on Geomorphometric Features: An Object-Based Approach

Version 1 : Received: 14 December 2017 / Approved: 15 December 2017 / Online: 15 December 2017 (05:22:01 CET)
Version 2 : Received: 18 January 2018 / Approved: 18 January 2018 / Online: 18 January 2018 (16:08:36 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Diesing, M.; Thorsnes, T. Mapping of Cold-Water Coral Carbonate Mounds Based on Geomorphometric Features: An Object-Based Approach. Geosciences 2018, 8, 34. Diesing, M.; Thorsnes, T. Mapping of Cold-Water Coral Carbonate Mounds Based on Geomorphometric Features: An Object-Based Approach. Geosciences 2018, 8, 34.

Abstract

Cold-water coral reefs are rich, yet fragile ecosystems found in colder oceanic waters. Knowledge of their spatial distribution on continental shelves, slopes, seamounts and ridge systems is vital for marine spatial planning and conservation. Cold-water corals frequently form conspicuous carbonate mounds of varying sizes, which are identifiable from multibeam echosounder bathymetry and derived geomorphometric attributes. However, the often large number of mounds makes manual interpretation and mapping a tedious process. We present a methodology that combines image segmentation and random forest spatial prediction with the aim to derive maps of carbonate mounds and an associated measure of confidence. We demonstrate our method based on multibeam echosounder data from Iverryggen on the mid-Norwegian shelf. We identified the image-object mean planar curvature as the most important predictor. The presence and absence of carbonate mounds is mapped with high accuracy (overall accuracy = 84.4%, sensitivity = 0.827 and specificity = 0.866). Spatially-explicit confidence in the predictions is derived from the predicted probability and whether the predictions are within or outside the modelled range of values and is generally high. We plan to apply the showcased method to other areas of the Norwegian continental shelf and slope where MBES data have been collected with the aim to provide crucial information for marine spatial planning.

Keywords

cold-water coral; carbonate mound; habitat mapping; spatial prediction; image segmentation; GEOBIA; random forest; accuracy, confidence

Subject

Environmental and Earth Sciences, Geophysics and Geology

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