Spatio–Temporal Dynamics of Wetland Landscape Patterns Based on Remote Sensing in Yellow River Delta, China

The wetland landscape patterns of the Yellow River Delta have undergone an extremely significant change due to rapid economic development since 2000. The aim of this paper is to quantitatively analyze spatial and temporal changes of these wetlands in the recent decade. Three sets of wetland maps were acquired using object–oriented classification method based on remotely sensed imageries in 2000, 2005 and 2010. Then landscape indices from class and landscape level using FRAGSTATS 3.3 software were used to quantify the spatial and temporal dynamics of wetlands. The results showed that wetlands coverage decreased by approximately 2.27%. Natural wetlands decreased while constructed wetlands increased, especially prawn pools, which increased by 268.33%. Wetland landscape patches gradually became more complex and decentralized. Wetlands distribution analysis indicated that wetlands were mainly located in the area 45 km from the coastline. The study indicated a relatively high diversity at the estuary of the river and the north of the study area. However, wetlands were highly fragmented in the south of the study area and urban area. Dynamic of wetlands was mainly caused by human–induced factors, especially GDP and urban built–up area.