William J. Hernandez

PhD Student Marine Sciences E-mail: william.hernandez@upr.edu

Education

• M.S. in Environmental Sciences (2005) Major: Water Resources (42 crs.) GPA: 4.00 Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San German Campus.
• B.S. in Science in Biology (2000) Major: Biology (142 crs.) GPA: 3.60 University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Campus

Research Interests

• Remote sensing of coastal and marine ecosystems
• GIS data modelling, analysis and distribution
• Integration of passive and active sensors in bio-optical oceanography

Research Projects

Benthic Habitat Mapping for La Parguera Marine Reserve, Southwest Puerto Rico, using passive and active remote sensing data

Mapping marine habitats and associated species distributions is fundamental in determining the potential for protection, assisting in resource management and assessing anthropogenic impacts. Active and passive sensors are being used to overcome limitations of studying coral reefs present in optically deep waters. The use of hyperspectral sensors (AVIRIS) with high spatial resolution will provide the spectral bands needed to better classify the benthic habitats. The use of LiDAR bathymetry and reflectivity data will provide information for optically deep waters and data for atmospheric and water column corrections. These remote sensing products combined with field bio-optical measurements will be integrated into a geographic information system to combine and analyze with ancillary information from the site. The end product will be a benthic habitat map of La Parguera Reserve with the necessary scale to evaluate marine communities and their distribution. The knowledge of benthic habitats and their spatial distribution is vital for understanding complex coral reefs systems, assessing patterns, identifying area of habitat diversity and determining habitat coverage and management. Some of the results expected from this project are to evaluate the total area of coral reefs and their connectivity, bio-optical properties of the insular shelf, and asses spatial patterns of reefs structures throughout the La Parguera Reserve.

Conferences Attended

• 5th Educational Partnership Program Science and Education Forum. FAMU, Tallahassee, FL. March 2012.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Educational Partnership Program Fifth Education and Science Forum. Howard University, Washington DC, November 2009
• FWS GIS National Workshop. National Conservation Training Center. Shepherdstown, WV. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 2006; 2007
• USFWS Refuge Lands GIS Training, Broomsfield, Colorado, March, 2007
• ESRI Federal User Conference, Washington DC, January 8-12, 2007
• ESRI Annual International User Conference, San Diego, C.A. ESRI. 2006; 2004

Recent Publications

• Gilbes, F., Hernandez, W. 2011. Understanding Bioluminescent Bays using Web-based Tools. ASLO 2011 Aquatic Science Meeting. San Juan, PR.
• Detres, Y, Almodovar, L., Romero, A.; Hernandez, W., Mas, E. 2011. Salt Flat Vegetation for Coastal Buffers in Puerto Rico. ASLO 2011 Aquatic Science Meeting. San Juan , PR.
• Armstrong, R and W. Hernandez. 2009. Web-based Scientific and Outreach Tools for Geographic Data Dissemination. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Educational Partnership Program Fifth Education and Science Forum. Howard University, Washington DC, USA. 1st place-Oral Presentation.