Arthur
C.R. Gleason
Ph.D. Student,
Marine Geology and Geophysics
Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric
Science
University of Miami
My research focuses on developing new methods of seabed mapping. Currently I am working on several coral reef mapping projects. One project involves mapping the distribution of Acorpora palmata (elkhorn coral) using airborne hyperspectral imagery. A second project uses ship-based acoustic techniques to identify and map suitable habitat for groupers. The third project uses video mosaicing technology to map individual plots (10-20 meters on a side) in very high detail (millimeter resolution). The three projects complement each other by working at different scales within the broad area of coral reef mapping. Although the immediate application of these technological advances is coral reef ecology, the mapping tools could be applicable to other areas of ocean exploration.
