Mapping of biophysical and biochemical properties of coastal tidal wetland habitats with Landsat 8

Coastal tidal wetlands are significant and vulnerable aquatic ecosystems. Quantitative remote sensing of biophysical and biochemical properties in coastal tidal wetland habitats through the inversion of physical models has vital practical significance for monitoring ecosystem function, environmental restoration, the global carbon, and nitrogen cycles. The objectives of this research were to map leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll content, as well as the sensible heat flux, latent heat flux, and productivity in Chongming Dongtan coastal tidal wetland habitats of China and to provide a mapping protocol of biophysical and biochemical properties in Chongming Dongtan wetland for environmental protection and restoration as well as assessment and monitoring. In order to obtain significant information for biodiversity protection and management, a method based on the Soil Canopy Observation of Photosynthesis and Energy fluxes model and lookup table approach has been developed. The results derived from our study contain the reflectance values of Scirpus mariqueter and Phragmites australis spectra are lower than those commonly found for vegetated areas. This may be caused by the dark soil background and low LAI. Moreover, as for the values of latent heat flux (between 120 and 190 W m − 2) and productivity (between 3 and 14 μmol m − 2 s − 1), mudflats are lower than vegetation. However, the values of sensible heat flux (between 140 and 170 W m − 2) of mudflats are higher than that of vegetation.