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description:
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Selected sites were visited in the field for typological validation. This validation included: 1) areas in the imagery with confusing or difficult to interpret signatures, 2) transects across many representative habitat types occurring in different depths and water conditions, 3) a survey of the zones, and 4) confirmation of preliminary habitat delineations if a first draft was produced.
Individual sites were visually evaluated by snorkeling and free diving or directly from the boat in shallow, clear water. Habitat transitions were evaluated by swimming transects across habitat types to further guide placement of polygon boundaries.
Habitat type(s), zone, approximate depth, position (GPS), image number, and other descriptive information were recorded at each site. Field data for each site was then compiled into a text table with a latitude/longitude field to allow overlay of the field information on the mosaic and habitat polygons. |