Wetland detection and monitoring project
Wetlands are areas where water occasionally or permanently stands still, and include marshes, bogs, wet meadows, floodplains, coastal lagoons, and offshore parts of the sea. They are exceptionally biodiverse areas that simultaneously perform many functions important for people, animals, and natural processes. Despite their importance, wetlands are one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world.
Satellite Detection Algorithms for Wetlands (SDA4Wetlands) project, funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), addresses these challenges by using advanced remote sensing algorithms to detect and monitor wetlands. GeoCodis is working with EOLAS Insight Ltd. of Scotland and KappaZeta Ltd. of Estonia on this project.
Key project objectives:
- Selection, testing and validation of algorithms for wetland detection and monitoring.
- Application of remote sensing methods to enable cost-effective, rapid, and technologically advanced wetland monitoring.
Workflow:
- User needs research and analysis: At the beginning of the project, we carried out an in-depth analysis of existing literature, legislation, and data, while simultaneously obtaining relevant information from organisation working on wetland protection, trough carefully constructed survey. We found that there is a lack of good quality data on wetlands in Slovenia and abroad, while there is a great interest in obtaining such data.
- Selection of wetland monitoring indicators: seven wetland monitoring indicators were then selected based on existing literature, legislation, and a user needs survey. These are a set of measurable parameters that reflect the status of wetlands.
- Selection of databases and algorithms: the Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, which are the basis of remote sensing, were used for testing. The algorithms were chosen based on the selected wetland indicators, as the detection and monitoring of them is key to achieving the objectives of our project.
- Testing and validation of the algorithms: All algorithms were then tested, validated, and evaluated. The evaluation was carried out in two parts, in the first part we gave each algorithm a score from 1 to 10, according to pre-selected criteria. In the second part, we tried to assess the suitability of each algorithm for wetland monitoring. The results were presented in a combined evaluation matrix, which allows comparison and identification of opportunities for optimisation of the algorithms.
Results and project potential:
The results of the project were encouraging – each of the algorithms tested was suitable for monitoring at least one wetland indicator.
Vision for the future:
Wetlands are globally important for their biodiversity and key ecosystem services. The results of SDA4Wetlands give us an excellent basis to build on the project and maybe develop an application that would make the data accessible and usable for professional and effective wetland protection.
SDA4Wetlands is an example of how advanced technologies such as remote sensing can help protect and manage natural resources.
