Abstract
The dynamic response of coastal wetlands (CWs) to hydro-meteorological signals is a key indicator for understanding climate driven variations in wetland ecosystems. This study explored the response of CW dynamics to hydro-meteorological signals using time series of Landsat-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values at six locations and hydro-meteorological time-series from 1984 to 2015 in Apalachicola Bay, Florida. Spectral analysis revealed more persistence in NDVI values for forested wetlands in the annual frequency domain, compared to scrub and emergent wetlands. This behavior reversed in the decadal frequency domain, where scrub and emergent wetlands had a more persistent NDVI than forested wetlands. The wetland dynamics were found to be driven mostly by the Apalachicola Bay water level and precipitation. Cross-spectral analysis indicated a maximum time-lag of 2.7 months between temperature and NDVI, whereas NDVI lagged water level by a maximum of 2.2 months. The quantification of persistent behavior and subsequent understanding that CW dynamics are mostly driven by water level and precipitation suggests that the severity of droughts, floods, and storm surges will be a driving factor in the future sustainability of CW ecosystems.
Highlights
The spatial extent and composition of coastal wetlands (CWs) varies in response to hydrologic and meteorological conditions and extreme events
The three black-dashed boxes in the time series highlight the dynamic behavior of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)
Our results suggest that the CW NDVI responded with a longer delay of maximum 2.7 months with temperature whereas, it responded with a shorter delay of maximum 2.2 months with water level
Summary
The spatial extent and composition of coastal wetlands (CWs) varies in response to hydrologic and meteorological conditions (e.g., precipitation and wind) and extreme events (e.g., droughts and floods) These variations represent a major source of CW alteration on the global, regional, and local scale [1,2,3,4,5]. CWs provide other important ecosystem services such as erosion control, local water storage improvement [9], climate regulation and stabilization, and are a unique aesthetic landscape of cultural, historic, and spiritual relevance [7] The characterization of both terrestrial wetland [10,11] and CW dynamics can be efficiently approached by using satellite remote sensing data that are available over wide and consistently sampled coverage areas. Satellite remote sensing can be useful for monitoring long-term
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
