Open-source-based Approach to Delineate the Shoreline from Space: A Case Study in Failaka Island, the State of Kuwait

Abstract

Researchers need to delineate the shoreline for different applications with no access to costly resources such as topographic maps and high-resolution satellite images. With the increase of open source data, this study aims to present a methodology to use open source data in the best possible way to map the shoreline. Several methods have been tested using open source remote sensing data (Landsat and Aster), such as supervised classification, unsupervised classification, manual mapping, and by applying some spectral indices, among others. The accuracy of the extracted shoreline data was verified using high-resolution open database images (such as Google Earth basemap). The results showed that the manually mapped shoreline through applying spectral index (green- near infrared/green+ near infrared) is the most accurate, although it remains important to modify it using high-resolution images of open databases. Open-source data showed acceptable accuracy in mapping the shoreline.

Spatio-temporal Evolution of Coastal Sabkhas in Arid Rapid Urban Development Area of Kuwait

“…Accordingly, the sabkhas in this region are almost entirely gone. These results are consistent with the results of Albanai (2021aAlbanai ( , 2021d, where the study clarified the geographical distribution of the sabkhas in 2020 using a spectral index applied to satellite images; the sabkhas were found to be receding in the southwestern side of Kuwait Bay.…”

“…The orthorectified and geolocated Landsat Level-1 Precision Terrain (L1TP. The development of spacebased measurements and geographic information systems (GIS) has increased our ability to understand more about the land surface through spatial data, with the ability to analyze this data in a specific spatial and temporal period, whereby it is possible to study and detect many geomorphological features through the electromagnetic relationship of radiations and surface features (Albanai, 2021a).…”

“…Due to the action of the prevailing northwesterly wind, both types of sabkhas are invaded by mobile sand. Therefore, their wet floors act as aerodynamic traps for drifting sand; they form thin sheets or sand drifts on the sabkhas' surfaces (Kleo et al, 2003;Misak et al, 2003;Al-Hurban, 2014;Albanai, 2021a).…”