Application of aerospace imagery in hydrobiological research

The basic types and technical parameters of aerospace imagery used for remote sensing of seabed are reviewed. The main principals of image decoding and processing are presented. The use of aerospace imagery for mapping, classification and monitoring of benthic communities in the upper part of marine shelf such as coral reefs, algae and sea grass is considered based on specific examples. Application of spectral features of hydrobionts and inorganic components of habitats is shown in terms of its perspective in decoding of aerospace images of seabed.