Project Title: Hyperspectral Tools for Early Detection, Rapid Assessment and Efficient Monitoring of Anthropogenic Stress in Estuarine Ecosystems
Principal Investigator(s): Donald C. Potts, Eli A. Silver, William L. Pickles

Accomplishments
Scheduled Tasks:

1. Groundtruthing of habitat classifications, including assessment of accuracy of classifications.
2. Geometric rectification and mosaicing of flightlines from both acquisitions.
3. Production of final maps in printed and electronic formats.
4. Production of classifications as GIS layers that can be manipulated independently.
5. Continued analysis of spectral and classification correlates of nutrient and water quality, based on monthly ESNERR sampling throughout Elklhorn Slough.

Progress on Tasks

1. Groundtruthing of habitat classifications and accuracy assessment has been completed for all aquatic habitats and their immediate margins for both 1999 and 2000 imagery.
2. Geometric rectification has been completed and habitat classes of aqatic habitats matched between lines. Mosaicing of flightlines has been complicated by some geometric errors in the original imagery, and we are now exploring independent warping of the flightlines to geo-corrected aerial photographs and newly available Digital Elevation Models of the region.
3. Production of final maps in printed and electronic formats can be done now as needed for the independent flight lines. Single maps of the region await on completion of item 2.
4. Production of classifications as GIS layers can be done now as needed for the independent flight lines. Single GIS layers of the region await completion of item 2.
5. Continued analysis of spectral and classification correlates of nutrient and water quality, is continuing with an experimental study of 80 plots with different nitrogen applications, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Kerstin Wasson of the ESNERR Foundation began in early 2002. Data consist of monthly spectral scans of each plot, measurements of plant morphology, and photographic records. The experiment will end in late August with collection of plant samples for CHN and other chemical analyses. These data should allow us to correlate spectral signatures from imagery quantitatively with N content of plants.

Difficulties Encountered
There were no substantial problems during this period

Anticipated Success in Meeting Project Objectives in Scheduled Project Period
All aquatic analysis related to items 1-5 above should be completed with three months.

Preliminary Results
No new data

Tasks and activities for next reporting period

Tasks for the next reporting period

1. Completion of items 2-5 above for aquatic habitats and margins,
2. Provision of sets of completed maps, classifications and images to ESNERR, CICEET and others.
3. Drafting of manuscripts and reports describing the project, evaluating the variety of approaches tested during the program, and recommendations for optimal application of hyperspectral imagery and analysis to wetlands and aquatic habitats.
4. Continuation of the analogous analyses of opportunistically-acquired Elkhorn Slough watershed imagery that was acquired in addition to the aquatic habitats that were the primary focus of this project

Work plan to accomplish tasks
These tasks are all underway and continuing as routine activities. One graduate student (Stacy Jupiter) is concentrating on the analyses, and a new graduate student (Wendy Cover) will assist.

Concerns or difficulties
None anticipated.

Expenditures
This grant has been exhausted. Nevertheless, the project will continue until all tasks above are completed and published.