Delimitation and classification of coastal wetlands: Implications for the environmental management of the Colombian Continental Caribbean

Abstract

This article describes the cartographic layer construction process of Colombian Caribbean coastal wetlands at a scale of 1:100,000 and the results obtained in terms of their quantification and typing. Two cartographic layers were constructed and subsequently joined, one of the permanent water bodies and another of temporary water bodies and associated coverages. The layers were generated by multitemporal analysis of 45 Landsat 8-OLI satellite images, based on the NDVI index, uncertainty models by superposition of cartographic attributes, and a flood frequency consultation model on ALOS PALSAR 1 images. As a result, 576,279 ha of coastal wetlands were delimited (1.9 % of total wetlands in Colombia), of which 20.4 % are within protected areas. The cartographic legend makes it possible to typify wetlands based on the coverage and temporality of water bodies; discriminates permanent wetlands (42.7 %) with five categories and temporary wetlands (57.3 %) with 15 categories, mostly distributed in seven large complexes. This study is the first description of the colombian Caribbean coastal wetlands based on a cartographic construction, is methodologically replicable, and will support decision-making in the planning of colombian Caribbean coastal areas, especially for risk management and ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change.

Mapping Coastal Wetlands Using Satellite Imagery and Machine Learning in a Highly Urbanized Landscape

“…Given these conditions and through RS, it is possible to establish some of these two criteria. Alternatively, it can be achieved indirectly, by determining the vegetation cover that is adapted to this environment, also known as hydrophilic vegetation [41,45]. These criteria are also taken by several countries, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, The United States, and other European countries [44].…”