The hyperspectral sensor AISA flew over Puerto Rico during December 2007. This first-time ever mission, coordinated by the UPRM CenSSIS project (a NSF project), involved multiple research groups that sampled on sea and land. GERS Lab collaborated with the Bio-optical Oceanography Lab to measured the bio-optical properties on different sites over La Parguera Reefs and Bioluminescence Bay during December 6, 2007. Twelve (12) stations were sampled with the bio-optical rosette and the GER-1500 spectroradiometer. The sampled sites provided different bio-optical conditions in the water column and different benthic communities. Several stations were also sampled with the Satlantic hyperspectral radiometer. This first-time comprehensive study of the bio-optical properties of La Parguera Reef System will establish the basics for further improvement of the remote sensing techniques for monitoring of benthic habitats. All data collected during the AISA mission and other monthly samplings will be incorporated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) using ArcGIS. These layers of information will be published in the internet using the recently created database system called GERSVIEW.
