Hyperspectral library of submerged aquatic vegetation and benthic substrates in the Baltic Sea

Abstract

A hyperspectral reflectance database was acquired for Baltic Sea submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and bare substrates by using Ramses (TriOS GmbH, Germany) radiometers capturing spectral data within the visible (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR) spectral ranges. The target samples included the most dominant and characteristic SAV species in the Baltic Sea, as well as several bare substrate types and beach cast communities. Target samples were measured within the 350-900 nm wavelength range under sunlight conditions without the water column influence. That is, samples were taken out of the water. Such a library is expected to provide insight into the spectral properties of various SAV species and substrates occurring in the coastal waters of the temperate geographic regions, facilitating the development of algorithms for differentiating and mapping various SAV communities. Additionally, measured reflectance spectra can be used as spectral end-members in physical models and classification algorithms for coastal vegetation mapping and quantification.