Spatial modelling of benthic cover using remote sensing data in the Aldabra lagoon, western Indian Ocean

Neighborhood context interactions significantly enhance the predictive power of benthic cover models, with spatial autoregression improving accuracy from R² = 0.25 to 0.79 compared to ordinary least-squares methods. This study leveraged remote sensing and GIS techniques to map the distribution of live coral, carbonate sand, macroalgae, and dead coral across Aldabra Atoll's lagoon (174 km²), providing high-resolution data for conservation efforts. By integrating water depth and level variation with benthic cover records, researchers established a synoptic model applicable to broader lagoon ecosystems, offering critical insights for resource management in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Hamylton, S., Spencer, T., & Hagan, A. (2012). Spatial modelling of benthic cover using remote sensing data in the Aldabra lagoon, western Indian Ocean. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 460, 35–47. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps09779