Satellite Based Spectral Signatures of Coastal Wetlands and Mangrove Vegetation of Kasaragod, India

The coastal wetlands form an important component of coastal ecosystem and is subjected to human interventions. Majority of the wetlands located at the coastal tracts are characterized by dense mangrove covers. Due to the complex environment and fragile nature of these systems, they are listed among the most threatened resources. Increased awareness and planned plantation activities have shown good tendencies with the objectives of conservations of mangroves in Kasaragod. Application of satellite remote sensing techniques is found to be very effective in delineating the mangroves systems, which provides vital information for best management practices. Satellite data has been employed in the present investigation to characterize the land cover features and retrieving the spectral responses of wetland vegetations of coastal regions of Kasaragod. The outcome of study suggests the best methodology for mangrove vegetation analysis and provides systematic approach for the conservation and management of the wetland vegetation of Kasaragod.

Keywords: Conservation, Kasaragod, management, remote sensing, salt tolerant ecosystem, wetlands.