A new approach for microphytobenthos biomass mapping by inversion of simple radiative transfer model: application to Hyspex images of Bourgneuf Bay

A new two-step microphytobenthos biomass mapping approach has been developed and applied to HySpex airborne images of an intertidal mudflat (Bourgneuf Bay, French Atlantic coast). The final aim was to discriminate microphytobenthic biofilms, formed on the sediment surface during diurnal low tide, and to estimate their biomass (mg Chl a .m^-2). The approach was, first, tested on laboratory HySpex image of simulated biofilms of different biomass values. Estimated biomass values from reflectance spectra are in a very good accordance with those measured by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography). Application of model to HySpex images of the bay offers, therefore, an accurate biomass map of intertidal mudflat where any confusion between highly similar materials has been completely avoided.