RESULTS: COMPARISON OF CORAL REEF SHAPE AND EXTENT

From the study of the Band 1 images and the Visible Spectrum Band-1 image we are able to compare the shape and extent of the coral reef of the Alas Purwo Peninsula in the National Park of Alas Purwo with the shape and extent of the coral reef in Permuteran Area in Bali.

Through the imagery of the coral reef through Band 1, the shape is studied and compared in the two regions. The Alas Purwo Coral is made up of a  continuous belt wrapping around the southern region of the peninsula. There is a definitive reef crest that correlates with the shape of the southern coastline. On the Northern side of the Peninsula, there is no continuous belt of coral reef and there is not a definitive reef crest. The Permuteran Area Coral off of the North West Coast of Bali is non-continuous and is not uniformly distributed along the coast line.  There is not a definitive crest for the coral reef in the Permuteran Region. On the Southern side of the Bali Island, there is a continuous belt of reef along the coast, similar in shape to the Southern Side Coral Reef of the Peninsula.

Also with the study of Band 1, the extent of the coral reef in the two regions can be studied and compared. The extent of Coral Reef on the South side of the Alas Purwo Peninsula is relatively greater than the extent of Coral Reef in the Permuteran Region. The definitive reef crest of the Alas Purwo Coral can be observed as being a greater distance from the coast of the mainland than of that in the Permuteran Area, as indicated by the green coloration of the Visible Blue Band. The extent of the coral reef

In summary, the shape of the Southern side of the Alas Purwo Peninsula Coral Reef is continuous with a definitive ending of the reef crest and extends into the ocean at a larger distance relative to the Permuteran Region that has an uncontinuous pattern and does not extend deep into the ocean relatively.

RESULTS: LAND DEVELOPMENT & VEGETATION ON THE MAINLAND

Through the Band 1 images, differentiating soil and rock surfaces from vegetation, commonly used for detecting cultural features, can provide comparison of land development of the mainland near the Coral Reef study regions (Band website). The Alas Purwo Peninsula has relatively little land development near the South East coasts of the Peninsula, as indicated by the dark green coloration of the Band 1 Visible Image. The Coast of the Permuteran Region of Bali has a greater proportion of development as indicated by the light green and magenta coloration that wraps around the entire northern coast.

Through the NDVI images and the density slices of the NDVI data, a comparison of the study regions vegetation density. The Alas Purwo Peninsula contains a high density of vegetative growth on the mainland. The Permuteran Region in Bali contains a relatively lower density of vegetative growth on the mainland, especially near the coasts. Comparing the density slice images, the Permuteran Region in Bali has a lower density of vegetation than the Alas Purwo Peninsula.

In studying the nightlife image, the night-pollution of the two study area’s can be observed and analyzed. The Permuteran Region Coast of Bali is indicated as having light pollution through the lighted area’s. The Alas Purwo Peninsula, however, is nearly unidentifiable from the ocean with no light.

In conclusion, the areas that are indicated in the density slice as having the lowest vegetation density (red and yellow in color), are regions that are also indicated in the Band 1 images as having land development and also produce light pollution. The regions with significant land development, low vegetation density, and high light pollution include the Permuteran Region in Bali. The regions without significant land development, with high vegetation density, and with no night light include the Alas Purwo Peninsula.

RESULTS: COASTAL SLOPE

In studying the 3-D Band 1 images of the study areas, comparisons of the Permuteran Region and Alas Purwo Peninsula topographic features can be studied. The Permuteran Region on the North side of Bali Island (right subset image) contains a steep sloping image. The south side of the island experiences a softer slope. The Alas Purwo Peninsula  (left subset image) has a similar topographic layout to Permuteran region with a steep slope on the Northern side of the Peninsula, and a softer slope on the south side of the peninsula.

DISCUSSION

When developing a comprehensive study of the land near the study site, a few obstacles related to accurate data retrieval arose. While obtaining high resolution images of Bali, clear and accurate data from  the 1970’s to create a time series would have allowed for a showing reef succession/degradation over the past couple decades. Also, while obtaining images of the eastern part of Bali cloud cover as well as image fragmentation limited our ability to analyze coral reef succession on the east coast. Image support of the destructive fishing techniques (bombing, cyanide) affecting coral reef health in Bali would have also strengthened the argument of anthropogenic factors affecting the reef and would have surely led to exciting data retrieval and analysis, particularly in the Permuteran.

When analyzing elevation and slope data for the study regions, data supported Edinger’s argument that coral reef health is related to land-based pollution and run-off. Poor land use practices from overpopulation along the coast along with native agricultural techniques (burning of trash) leads to an increase in pollutants being released into the ocean. The comparison between land degradation and coastal slope related to local reef health leads us to believe that the pollutants being released into the ocean have a negative impact on the coral reefs health. Coral reef degradation in the Pemuteran region also has an impact on the well being of the coastal population as the locals traditionally live off the reef’s supply of fish, a region to dry for rice cultivation.

In future research, increased studies of water quality would likely correlate to coral reef health due to the Cyanide fishing and chemical fertilizer that is employed by local communities. Also, a study on the degradation of the coral over time, linked to changes in farming techniques, would be very interesting.

REFERENCES

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Marine Pollution Bulletin: Volume 50, Issue 9, September 2005, Pg. 931-934

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