Delineate hydroecological riparian zones using LiDAR, satellite imagery, and GIS
Subject
Abstract
Riparian ecosystems perform essential ecological functions, including filtering pollutants, stabilizing shorelines, mitigating floods, and supporting biodiversity. However, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by land-use changes, climate change, and habitat degradation, which disrupt their functionality. Traditional approaches to managing riparian zones and protecting aquatic habitats often rely on fixed-width buffers that overlook natural landscape variations and ecological complexity. This research advances riparian delineation by developing an innovative workflow that integrates environmental variables using LiDAR, satellite imagery, and GIS. Key environmental variables including terrain depressions, seasonal flooding, vegetation, surface moisture and hydric soils, were analyzed to capture topographical, hydrological, and ecological influences. Results indicate that terrain depressions, vegetation, and moisture contribute a greater influence on riparian boundaries than seasonal flooding, reinforcing the need for adaptive delineation methods. Riparian widths varied significantly, even within the same biogeoclimatic conditions, driven by localized environmental differences, emphasizing the need for integrating diverse local environmental variables into the delineation workflow. By leveraging the capabilities of LiDAR, satellite imagery, and GIS, this research presents a dynamic framework for mapping variable-width riparian ecosystems that align with current environmental conditions. These findings contribute to advancing riparian mapping methods, offering insights that extend beyond local ecosystems to support broader conservation strategies and global sustainability initiatives.