Delineation of spatio-temporal changes of shoreline and geomorphological features of Odisha coast of India using remote sensing and GIS techniques

Abstract

Odisha coast is a dynamic region wherein both natural and anthropogenic processes affecting the shape and position of the shoreline vis-a-vis the coastal processes are prevalent in this region. Geomorphology such as lagoons, tidal flats, mangrove swamps and shoreline is a rapidly changing phenomenon along this coast mainly due to tides, waves, oceanic currents and storm surges. Keeping in view of the above, the present study mainly focused on decadal changes of shoreline and land cover changes, and delineation of geomorphological units along the Odisha coast using geospatial technologies for the period 1990–2009. Spatio-temporal analysis of remote sensing data indicated notable shoreline changes at cyclone land fall locations along the Odisha coast, wherein erosion (loss) and accretion (gain) rates were observed to be high at Paradeep and Kendrapada. During the study period, the rate of accretion was observed to be higher during 1999–2009 compared to 1990–1999. Coastal geomorphology landforms distributions indicate that the swale complex, older and younger coastal plains, tidal flats and mangrove swamp are the dominant features. Long-term land cover analysis indicated that the vegetation cover loss happened in the high vegetated areas during the period 1990–1999 and regeneration during the period 1999–2009.