Ecohydrological metrics derived from multispectral images to characterize surface water in an intermittent river

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorTayer, TCen_AU
dc.contributor.authorBeesley, LSen_AU
dc.contributor.authorDouglas, MMen_AU
dc.contributor.authorBourke, SAen_AU
dc.contributor.authorCallow, JNen_AU
dc.contributor.authorMeredith, KTen_AU
dc.contributor.authorMcFarlane, Den_AU
dc.date.accessioned2024-02-23T02:01:58Zen_AU
dc.date.available2024-02-23T02:01:58Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2023-02en_AU
dc.date.statistics2024-02-23en_AU
dc.description.abstractAccurately describing the hydrology of intermittent rivers is a critical step in improving our understanding and management of freshwater ecosystems. Traditional approaches such as using gauged discharge data provide little information once flow ceases and no insight into the location, morphology, or persistence of river pools. However, multispectral images can be used to describe surface water, characterize hydrology, and provide insight into ecological functioning. A multispectral approach is highly cost-effective and well suited to remote intermittent rivers with little or no gauging infrastructure. Here, we develop an algorithm to extract hydrological attributes (i.e., pool area, length, perimeter, and mean width) from multispectral imagery (Sentinel-2) and use these attributes to create a suite of ecologically relevant hydrological metrics. We describe changes in attributes and metrics in a large lowland intermittent river as it transitions from wet to dry over a four-year period. We also describe temporal changes in attributes and metrics among five river sections with contrasting hydrological persistence and fragmentation. Our algorithm successfully identified surface water in the main channel and the adjacent floodplain, the centerline of pools, and their upstream and downstream ends. Metrics proved effective at describing seasonal patterns in hydrology; revealing how the size, complexity, and elongation of surface water features (e.g., pools) decreased as the study river transitioned from wet to dry and how fragmentation increased. Metrics also successfully differentiated the river sections with varied hydrological persistence. Ecohydrological metrics derived from multispectral imagery have the potential to provide meaningful insights into riverine morphology, resilience, and ecological functioning. Our spatial approach represents a significant advancement in the ability to characterize and manage intermittent rivers, which are increasingly threatened by water resource development and a drying climate. © 2023 The Authors. - Open Access CC-BYen_AU
dc.description.sponsorshipThis project was carried out as part of the lead author's PhD research, with financial support from the Australian Government's Research Training Program (RTP), the National Environmental Science Program (NESP) through its Northern Australia Environmental Resources Hub (Project 1.3.3), and the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering through the Postgraduate Research Awards (PGRA - ALNSTU12627).en_AU
dc.identifier.articlenumber129087en_AU
dc.identifier.citationTayer, T. C., Beesley, L. S., Douglas, M. M., Bourke, S. A., Callow, J. N., Meredith, K., & McFarlane, D. (2023). Ecohydrological metrics derived from multispectral images to characterize surface water in an intermittent river. Journal of Hydrology, 617, 129087. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2023.129087en_AU
dc.identifier.issn0022-1694en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleJournal of Hydrologyen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination129087en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2023.129087en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://apo.ansto.gov.au/handle/10238/15415en_AU
dc.identifier.volume617en_AU
dc.languageEnglishen_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherElsevieren_AU
dc.subjectSurface watersen_AU
dc.subjectRiversen_AU
dc.subjectHydrologyen_AU
dc.subjectFresh wateren_AU
dc.subjectEcosystemsen_AU
dc.subjectAlgorithmsen_AU
dc.subjectClimatesen_AU
dc.titleEcohydrological metrics derived from multispectral images to characterize surface water in an intermittent riveren_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Thumbnail Image
Name:
1-s2.0-S002216942300029X-main.pdf
Size:
13.06 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Thumbnail Image
Name:
1-s2.0-S002216942300029X-mmc1.docx
Size:
1.78 MB
Format:
Microsoft Word XML
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.66 KB
Format:
Plain Text
Description:
Download
Collections
Journal Articles