# Nearshore Benthic Mapping in the Great Lakes:
## 3 Results
### Classification Performance Analysis
#### 3.1.2. Biotic Component Classification Results
In contrast, when AB RF was added to the combination, while still among the top performers when used in combination with the other data inputs and used first, the overall accuracy and KC decreased (\(-\)0.8%, \(-\)0.08, respectively). Unlike the substrate component, there was not  
Figure 17: Tier 1 plot of biotic null classification performance, comparing percent overall accuracy and percent producer accuracy for airborne and satellite data combinations. Number labels refer to unique classification input data combinations identified in the Index field in Table 2, Appendix A.  
an evident grouping of data combinations that performed as consistently for the biotic component, and KCs fell below 0.48 beyond the top four data combinations (Figure 16; Table A2, Appendix A). Classification results from the satellite data combinations generally showed the same biotic component Tier 1 class patterns; however, obvious misclassifications were observed especially in the offshore, northeast section of the study area (Figure 19). The satellite data combinations with the highest overall classification accuracy included the following (highest to lowest): (1) S2 MS + S2 DII + S2 SDB, (2) S2 MS + S2 DII (and reverse order), and (3) S2 SDB + S2 DII + S2 MS (and one additional combination using the same data but in a different order, S2 DII + S2 SDB + S2 MS). No performance accuracies were evaluated with additional ROIs since attempted additions were unsuccessful in resolving misclassifications. Figure 19 illustrates the top three Tier 1 results for the biotic component using satellite data combinations. As with the substrate component, the top-performing data combination was S2 MS + S2 DII + S2 SDB; however, data order suggested a more influential role in the discrimination of classes in the biotic component (Figure 16). For example, when either S2 SDB or S2 DII was input ahead of S2 MS, overall accuracy and KC slightly decreased (\(-0.48\%\), \(-0.07\), respectively). Additionally, the order of S2 DII and S2 SDB following S2 MS likewise impacted results and reduced overall accuracy and KC by \(-1.45\%\) and \(0.17\), respectively. Regardless, obvious misclassifications could not be corrected, and as with the substrate component, the classification results using DII tended to be highest. Figure 18: Tier 1 biotic component classification results using airborne data combinations for the north-central section of the study area: (**a**) AB DE + CA MNF FU + CA MNF WLR, (**b**) AB DE + CA MNF FU + CA MNF WLR with additional ROIs, (**c**) CA MNF FU + CA MNF WLR, (**d**) CA MNF FU + CA MNF WLR with additional ROIs, (**e**) AB RF + AB DE + CA MNF FU + CA MNF WLR, and (**f**) AB RF + AB DE + CA MNF FU + CA MNF WLR with additional ROIs. For the Tier 2 aquatic vegetation bed (biotic) classification, overall accuracy (airborne only) was 95.25% for the three data combinations evaluated and the KC was 0.86. The top three data combinations were evaluated: (1) AB DE + CA MNF FU + CA MNF WLR with additional ROIs, (2) CA MNF FU + CA MNF WLR with additional ROIs. Since the AB DE + CA MNF FU + CA MNF WLR with additional ROIs. Since the AB DE + CA MNF FU + CA MNF WLR with additional ROIs data combination had the highest overall accuracy and KC of the three from Tier 1, the aquatic vegetation bed area from that classification result was used as a mask to further discriminate more detailed (Tier 2) class types within that area. Two classes were identified: (1) _Cladophora_ sp. and (2) _Cladophora_ sp. with co-existing attached mussels (Figure 20). Unlike the Tier 2 fine unconsolidated (substrate) classification, the Tier 2 aquatic vegetation bed (biotic) classification performed very well with a strong KC, suggesting that for this study, the airborne data inputs were reliable enough to discriminate the most detailed biotic communities in the CMECs hierarchy, including co-existing attached mussels.