Dataset on green tide surfaces over Brittany using Landsat imagery for 35 years of monitoring

Abstract

This dataset details all data used for a manuscript submission entitled "Spotting green tides over Brittany from space: three decades of monitoring with Landsat imagery". It presents data derived from Earth observation detection on the macroalgae surface on four studied sites in Brittany, France. These estimates were made using Landsat 5 and 8 satellite imagery, using the Google Earth Engine environment. Spectral signatures of natural features found on the study sites (sand, water and algae) are also presented. Additional datasets include 1) green macroalgae surface estimates made by an external source, CEVA (French Algae Technology and Innovation Center) and derived from aerial photography. This data was used for comparison with our results 2) nitrogen concentrations for four water stations close to the study sites. Nitrogen is considered the main physico-chemical factor controlling algae growth