Title: The use of vegetation indices and change detection techniques as a tool for monitoring ecosystem and biodiversity integrity

Authors: George Kefalas; Panagiotis Lattas; Panteleimon Xofis; Roxanne Suzette Lorilla; Aristotelis Martinis; Konstantinos Poirazidis

Addresses: Harokopio University of Athens, Department of Geography, El. Venizelou 70, 176 76 Kallithea, Greece ' Pyrgos Forest Service, Alfeiou 42, 27 131 Pirgos, Greece ' Hellenic Agricultural Organisation 'Demeter', Forest Research Institute, 57006 Vasilika Thessaloniki, Greece ' Harokopio University of Athens, Department of Geography, El. Venizelou 70, 176 76 Kallithea, Greece ' Department of Environmental Technology, Technological Education Institute of Ionian Islands, Laboratory of Environmental Management and Ecology, 29100 Panagoula Zakynthos, Greece ' Department of Environmental Technology, Technological Education Institute of Ionian Islands, Laboratory of Environmental Management and Ecology, 29100 Panagoula Zakynthos, Greece

Abstract: The use of satellite data has been widely applied to provide a cost-effective mean to analyse land cover changes over large geographic regions. The aim of this study was the multi-temporal change analysis of vegetation over the last 30 years, using freely available remote sensing data in three steps in Ilia Prefecture, Greece. In the first step, four vegetation indices were adopted to analyse the dynamic change of vegetation. At the second step, the investigation of the vegetation density changes was succeeded through thematic change detection techniques, and lastly, at the third step, a comprehensive change detection method (CCDM) was applied for mapping biomass progress/regress. Finally, after the catastrophic mega-fire of 2007 in Ilia, a change analysis of four vegetation indices focused on this affected region was implemented to investigate the vegetation restoration. Although some spatial changes of vegetation cover were observed during the study period, the state of biomass either improved or remained constant through time, demonstrating the high potential of Mediterranean ecosystems to recover after disturbance events.

Keywords: remote sensing; vegetation cover; multi-temporal analysis; change detection analysis; vegetation indices; sustainable management; informatics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2018.092411

International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics, 2018 Vol.4 No.1, pp.47 - 67

Received: 14 Dec 2017
Accepted: 13 Feb 2018
Published online: 17 Jun 2018 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article