Estimation of Growth Area of Aquatic Macrophytes Expanding Spontaneously in Lake Shinji Using ASTER Data

Abstract

In this study, we estimated the growth area of aquatic macrophytes that have expanded spontaneously in Lake Shinji, located in eastern Shimane Prefecture, Japan, using Terra satellite Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data. Visible and near infrared ASTER data from April, August, and September 2012 were used. The water depth at which ASTER can detect submersed aquatic macrophytes using in situ spectral reflectance of aquatic macrophytes and a bio-optical model was also examined. As a result, when the threshold value of a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was set to 0, only aquatic macrophytes up to a depth of approximately 10 cm could be detected. The growth area of aquatic macrophytes detected by NDVI from ASTER data was in relatively good agreement with the growth area as observed by aerial photography.