Identifying Similar Biophysical ...

We introduce the use of remote sensing analysis in providing new insight in characterizing green turtle nesting habitat. A maximum likelihood classification (MLC) and a multiple endmember spectral mixture analysis (MESMA) were conducted on a Landsat image that contained six nesting beaches in Turkey that represent varying degrees of importance. Both techniques highlighted similarities of the vegetative cover as a function of distance from the shoreline for beaches of similar importance. These similarities in percentage and change of vegetative cover allow for categorization of nesting beaches which may be applied to other nesting areas throughout the green turtle’s range.