Salt Marsh and Tidal Flat Area Distributions Along Three Estuaries

Estuarine landscapes form through interactions between fluvio-coastal processes and ecological within the boundaries imposed by hard substrate layers man-made dikes dams. As estuaries are ecologically valuable areas, monitoring quantification of trends in habitats is needed for objective comparison management. However, datasets tidal flat saltmarsh along entire scarce. The was to compare biogeomorphological areas habitat transitions three Netherlands assess whether these generally comparable or mainly determined system-specific histories. We present data obtained automated classification false-color aerial imagery. method allows mapping at unprecedented resolution. dominated subtidal flats. flats have similar area while decreases. Collective lengths important saltmarsh, low-energy water differ more estuaries. These variations due presence mid-channel bars shore-connected embayments. Saltmarsh different formation embankment histories estuaries, embayments side-branches. Much past flanking lost land reclamation. In one system, reduced a sudden decrease amplitude, causing increase cost intertidal area. Large high-energy estuary remain unexplained. can be applied other provided that high-quality areal imagery available. Extensions would allow system-scale trend relevant characteristics.