Using small format aerial photographs (SFAP) to map coral reefs in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

A heterogeneous range of remote sensor data is currently available to help mapping underwater entities. Particularly, data produced by orbital and sub-orbital sensors have been used with remarkable results. However, in some regions we need to associate accurate and cost effective methods in order to map underwater features, and also emerged features as sea rocks, reefs, and sand. This is exactly our proposal with the current work. The main goal is to produce maps of the "Maracajau" Coral Reef located at Northeast of Brazil that can be used by researchers and managers to study and evaluate the actual conditions of the ecosystem face its intensive use. We use small format aerial photographs (SFAP) taken from a small aircraft. Analogical and digital methods are employed to analyze and interpret the images.