Wozencraft, J.; Dunkin, L.; Reif, M., and Eisemann, E., 2018. A spatial index approach to coastal monitoring: A Florida case study. In: Almar, R.; Almeida, L.P.; Trung Viet, N., and Sall, M. (eds.), Tropical Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 81, pp. 67–75. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) topography and bathymetry datasets and high-resolution aerial imagery have much to offer, but are typically very large, and efforts to extract information are often ad-hoc, leaving the full potential of high resolution airborne data unrealized. By developing methods for extracting and presenting consistent parameters and metrics applicable across coastal regions in the United States, this crucial information will become more readily available. Here, it is demonstrated how numerous geomorphological, navigation, and structural parameters are extracted from lidar topographic and bathymetric datasets. In addition, environmental parameters are extracted from hyperspectral imagery. Indices are developed from the extracted parameters to provide an evaluation of coastal engineering projects such as dredging and structures condition, as well as environmental projects including mitigation and restoration. A dashboard developed from the indices offers a clear and comprehensive presentation of coastal resource data products. Coastal condition as it relates to geomorphology, navigation infrastructure, and environmental considerations are presented using ‘stop-light’ symbology, providing a streamlined and easily interpreted illustration for decision making. The indices provide academia, industry, and government with repeatable, comprehensive coastal assessments that are regionally comparable allowing an integrated approach to management and planning in the coastal zone.