Mangrove Coverage of Weedon Island Preserve

by Sean Reilly

Submitted : Fall 2012

In this project, the areas of eight mangrove plots from Weedon Island Preserve were estimated using “contour integrals.” This was done by making a graph over the plot and finding the distance from the origin to the edge of the plot, then by squaring the distance and multiplying it by the angle (Π/4). There are eight of these for each plot, once all eight are found, add them all together, and divide by two. This provides an accurate approximation of the area; likewise, Google Earth's approximations are also accurate and can be used as a good reference when determining the accuracy of the calculated area.

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