Remotely sensed delineation of groundwater dependent ecosystems in Khakhea-Bray Transboundary Aquifer
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Date
2025
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Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Remote sensing of groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) has increased substantially in recent years. Of significant prominence, is the delineation and mapping of groundwater-dependent vegetation (GDV), species diversity, and water quality in these ecosystems. Groundwater-dependent ecosystems provide several ecological services such as habitat for wildlife fauna, carbon sequestration and water purification. The recent technological advancements and readily accessibility of new satellite sensors with improved sensing characteristics have resulted in numerous state-of-the-art applications for GDEs assessment and monitoring. These studies were done at varying scales, essentially in light of global climate change and variability. In this study, progress on the remote sensing of GDEs in semi-arid environments is assessed. The study presents the key trends in GDEs remote sensing that underpin many of the recent scientific research milestones and application developments. In addition, it observed a considerable shift towards the use of advanced spatial modelling techniques, using high-resolution remotely sensed data to further improve the characterisation and understanding of GDEs. Thus, literature shows the successful use of freely available remotely sensed data in mapping GDEs.
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Keywords
Geospatial techniques, Groundwater, Multispectral imagery, Semi-arid, Sustainable groundwater management.
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