Hydrological dynamics of the pantanal, a large tropical floodplain in brazil, revealed by analysis of sentinel-2 satellite imagery
Edelin Jean Milien
Federal University of Mato Grosso, Brazil
: Res J Opt Photonics
Abstract
Extensive tropical floodplain wetlands, such as the Brazilian Pantanal, are complex ecosystems composed of mosaics of permanently and seasonally flooded habitats and are increasingly threatened by land use and climate change. Spatial and interannual variability in the seasonal flood pulse is a fundamental ecological driver in these ecosystems. This study analyzes optical imagery from the Sentinel-2 satellite to determine the extent and seasonal patterns of inundation over five years in the northern Pantanal, a Ramsar site renowned for its wildlife. The study site is bordered by the Cuiabá and São Lourenço rivers, each with distinct flow regimes. Inundation patterns were revealed with a combination of water indices, supervised classification of land cover, and a digital elevation model. Total extent of flooding was underestimated by the optical imagery, but open water bodies were readily delineated with the land cover classification.
Biography
Edelin Jean Milien is a PhD candidate from Federal University of Mato-Grosso. He is the GIS specialist of DAI LLC Inc, a Non Governamental Organization. He has published more than 5 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of repute.
