We collected field data from sites distributed in habitats along the salinity axis of the Altamaha River estuary and the Duplin River to be used as ground reference data for habitat mapping. Regions of interest (ROIs) for tidal marsh (salt, brackish, tidal fresh) and tidal fresh forest vegetation species were generated near ground control points (GCP) by digitizing vegetation areas in ArcGIS 10.4 based on field maps.These observations will be used to create habitat maps from aerial photographs of the Altamaha River estuary, GA taken following Hurricane Irma to better understand how the storm surge affected tidal vegetation and to examine any shifts in vegetation type.

We collected field data from sites distributed in habitats along the salinity axis of the Altamaha River estuary and the Duplin River to be used as ground control points (GCP) and ground reference data for habitat mapping. GCPs for tidal marsh (salt, brackish, tidal fresh) and tidal fresh forest vegetation species were acquired. A real time kinematic (RTK) GPS survey of GPS coordinates and ground elevations for tidal marsh vegetation was carried out in May of June of 2018. A handheld GPS was used to collect GPS coordinates for tidal forest plant species in July of 2018. A total of 101 GCPs were collected in tidal habitats, with 26 in salt, 28 in brackish and 29 in tidal fresh marsh, and another 18 in tidal fresh forest. These observations will be used to create habitat maps from aerial photographs of the Altamaha River estuary, GA taken following Hurricane Irma to better understand how the storm surge affected tidal vegetation and to examine any shifts in vegetation type.

Real time kinematic (RTK) GPS survey of ground elevations for six plant species (Spartina alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, Batis maritima, Distichlis spicata, Salicornia virginica and Borrichia frutescens) and two non-vegetated cover classes (salt pan and intertidal mud) was carried out from February to March 2010 to assess the accuracy of a LIDAR-derived digital elevation model. In total, 369 ground control points (GCP) were collected for the Duplin River (Sapelo Island) and Blackbeard Creek (Blackbeard Island) salt marshes with associated plant and soil charactistics (soil salinity and water content, soil organic matter, soil redox potential). Data were collected to examine the relationships between marsh soil elevation, plant habitat distribution and soil properties and to support the analysis of a a LIDAR-derived digital elevation model (DEM) and RTK data collect in 2009.

LIDAR (light detection and ranging) data were acquired on March 9-10, 2009 by the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM) for the Duplin River (35 km2) and Blackbeard Creek (19 km2) salt marshes. The deliverables provided by NCALM included the raw LAS point clouds and 1 m spatial resolution gridded digital elevation models (DEMs).

LIDAR (light detection and ranging) data were acquired on March 9-10, 2009 by the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM) for the Duplin River (35 km2). A 1 m spatial resolution gridded digital elevation models (DEM) was produced from these data. The accuracy of the DEM was assessed using real time kinematic (RTK) GPS ground reference data and elevations were corrected following the method of Hladik and Alber (2012).

Airborne Imaging Spectrometer for Applications (AISA) Eagle hyperspectral imagery were acquired on June 20-21, 2006, by the Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies (CALMIT). This included six flight lines flown for the examination of water spectral properties for the Satilla River, Altamaha River, and Sapelo Sound. Imagery was acquired for 97 bands from 435-950 nm at a 1 m spatial resolution. The bandwidths were preselected by investigators with CALMIT to to capture the photoplankton red reflectance feature and carotenoid and chlorophyll driven absorption behaviors. These data were acquired for the following purposes: 1) calculate suites of remote sensing phytoplankton indices, (2) produce algorithms for predicting plant and phytoplankton chlorophyll and accessory pigments and productivity, 3) assess water quality, and (4) perform atmospheric corrections.

Airborne Imaging Spectrometer for Applications (AISA) Eagle hyperspectral imagery were acquired on June 20-21, 2006, by the Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies (CALMIT). This included ten flight lines flown for the examination of salt marsh and upland vegetation spectral properties near Blackbeard Creek, the Duplin River, Dean Creek, and the Altamaha River. Imagery was acquired for 63 bands from 400-980 nm at a 1 m spatial resolution. The bandwidths were preselected by investigators with CALMIT to to capture the vegetative red reflectance feature, leaf water content related NIR reflectance, and carotenoid and chlorophyll driven absorption behaviors. These data were acquired for the following purposes: 1) calculate suites of remote sensing vegetation indices, (2) produce algorithms for predicting plant and phytoplankton chlorophyll and accessory pigments, vegetation biomass, 3) assess vegetative health, and (4) perform atmospheric corrections.

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Airborne Imaging Spectrometer for Applications (AISA) Eagle hyperspectral imagery were acquired on June 20-21, 2006, by the Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies (CALMIT). This included ten flight lines flown for the examination of salt marsh and upland vegetation and water for spectral properties at 1 m spatial resolution. For all vegetation images, the Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was calculated. NDVI uses the ratio of reflectance in the red and NIR wavelengths (NDVI = (NIR799 - RED675)/ (NIR799 + RED675)) to derive an index of plant vigor (Rouse et al., 1974). The subscript values are the wavelength band centers used to calculate NDVI. Values indicate the amount of green vegetation present in the pixel—higher NDVI values indicate more green vegetation. Vallid results fall between -1 and +1.

Real time kinematic (RTK) GPS survey of ground elevations for six plant species (Spartina alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, Batis maritima, Distichlis spicata, Salicornia virginica and Borrichia frutescens) and two non-vegetated cover classes (salt pan and intertidal mud) was carried out from June to December 2009 to assess the accuracy of a LIDAR-derived digital elevation model. In total, 1389 ground control points (GCP) were collected for the Duplin River (Sapelo Island) and Blackbeard Creek (Blackbeard Island) salt marshes.