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Evaluation of a digital echo sounder system for detection of submersed aquatic vegetation

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Abstract

A technique is presented for rapid detection of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) using a high-frequency, high-resolution digital echo sounder linked with global positioning system equipment. The acoustic reflectivity of SAV allows for detection and explicit meaqsurement of canopy geometry using a digital signal processing algorithm described here. Comparing output data from this system with physical measurements shows good detection and measurement performance over a wide range of conditions for freshwater tape grass (Vallisneria americana) and seagrasses (Thalassia testudinum, Halodule wrightii, andSyringodium filiforme) in a sandy-bottom, south Florida estuary. The range of environmental conditions for which the system can be used is defined. Based on these measured performance data and a review of existing literature, this system appears to fill a gap in the inventory of established methods for measuring the distribution and abundance of submersed macrophytes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, 39180, Vicksburg, Mississippi

    Bruce M. Sabol & R. Eddie Melton

  2. South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, 33406, West Palm Beach, Florida

    Robert Chamberlain, Peter Doering & Kathy Haunert

Authors
  1. Bruce M. Sabol
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  2. R. Eddie Melton
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  3. Robert Chamberlain
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  4. Peter Doering
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  5. Kathy Haunert
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Correspondence to Bruce M. Sabol.

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Sabol, B.M., Eddie Melton, R., Chamberlain, R. et al. Evaluation of a digital echo sounder system for detection of submersed aquatic vegetation. Estuaries 25, 133–141 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02696057

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02696057

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