Publications

Xing, LW; Niu, ZG; Xu, PP; Li, DC (2018). Wetlands classification and assessment of Ramsar sites in China based on time series Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) imagery. MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH, 69(5), 658-668.

Abstract
Globally, wetland loss and degradation have become serious environmental and ecological issues. Wetland monitoring of Ramsar sites in China is important for developing reasonable strategies to protect wetlands. Satellite image time series may be used for the long-term monitoring of wetland ecosystems. The present study used moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) time series data collected in 2001 and 2013 for 20 Ramsar sites in China and assessed the environmental status of these reserves using landscape metrics. The results showed that specific seasonal wetland classes, such as flooded mud, permanent water and seasonal marshes, can be identified using MODIS time series data with acceptable accuracy. In addition to wetland area, we suggest using other landscape metrics, including landscape integrity and landscape disturbance or degradation indices, to assess wetland environmental quality. The slight wetland loss (0.8%) noted in the 20 reserves evaluated herein could indicate the effectiveness of efforts of the Chinese government and local government agencies to protect Ramsar sites. The existing unfavourable environmental conditions, which were manifested by low landscape integrity and high landscape disturbance or degradation for some reserves, were caused primarily by increasing water requirements outside the reserves and by agricultural development within reserves. Therefore, determining how to balance relationships between economic development and ecological protection of the reserves will be important in the future.

DOI:
10.1071/MF17119

ISSN:
1323-1650