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Evaluating the Compliance of Sea Turtle Light Ordinances in Florida Using Remote Sensing
Author(s) -
Anderson Sharolyn J,
Nuernberger Sarah,
Yamamoto Kristina H,
Sutton Paul C
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
geography compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.587
H-Index - 65
ISSN - 1749-8198
DOI - 10.1111/gec3.12088
Subject(s) - radiance , sea turtle , remote sensing , nesting season , environmental science , visible infrared imaging radiometer suite , geography , turtle (robot) , light pollution , radiometer , satellite , nesting (process) , meteorology , fishery , ecology , engineering , habitat , mechanical engineering , physics , optics , aerospace engineering , biology
Satellite‐based remote sensing has essentially been absent from processes evaluating compliance with environmental policy. Through a case study of the observance of sea turtle light ordinances in Florida, this study seeks to demonstrate that remotely sensed data can be beneficial in evaluation of environmental policy compliance. As a means to increase the successful sea turtle nesting rate, 21 counties and several other municipalities adapted policies prohibiting the lighting of beaches during sea turtle nesting season from May to October. Using visible/infrared imager radiometer suite (VIIRS) nighttime lights satellite imagery to determine mean radiance values and diamond plots of difference images of nighttime lights radiance values, this study confirms compliance with these light ordinances while emphasizing the benefits of remote sensing techniques in the process.