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Delineation of marsh types and marsh-type change in coastal Louisiana for 2007 and 2013

Scientific Investigations Report 2017-5044
Prepared in cooperation with Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175044

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Abstract

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management researchers often require detailed information regarding emergent marsh vegetation types (such as fresh, intermediate, brackish, and saline) for modeling habitat capacities and mitigation. In response, the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management produced a detailed change classification of emergent marsh vegetation types in coastal Louisiana from 2007 and 2013. This study incorporates two existing vegetation surveys and independent variables such as Landsat Thematic Mapper multispectral satellite imagery, high-resolution airborne imagery from 2007 and 2013, bare-earth digital elevation models based on airborne light detection and ranging, alternative contemporary land-cover classifications, and other spatially explicit variables. An image classification based on image objects was created from 2007 and 2013 National Agriculture Imagery Program color-infrared aerial photography. The final products consisted of two 10-meter raster datasets. Each image object from the 2007 and 2013 spatial datasets was assigned a vegetation classification by using a simple majority filter. In addition to those spatial datasets, we also conducted a change analysis between the datasets to produce a 10-meter change raster product. This analysis identified how much change has taken place and where change has occurred. The spatial data products show dynamic areas where marsh loss is occurring or where marsh type is changing. This information can be used to assist and advance conservation efforts for priority natural resources.

Suggested Citation

Hartley, S.B., Couvillion, B.R., and Enwright, N.M., 2017, Delineation of marsh types and marsh-type change in coastal Louisiana for 2007 and 2013: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5044, 6 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/20175044.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methodology
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Delineation of marsh types and marsh-type change in coastal Louisiana for 2007 and 2013
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2017-5044
DOI 10.3133/sir20175044
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Description Report: vi, 6 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Louisiana
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details