Spatial Characterisation of Vegetation Diversity in Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems Using In-Situ and Sentinel-2 MSI Satellite Data

Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) are under threat from groundwater over-abstraction, which significantly impacts their conservation and sustainable management. Although the socio-economic significance of GDEs is understood, ecosystem services ecological (e.g., biodiversity hotspots) in arid environments remains understudied. Therefore, United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15, characterizing or identifying hotspots improves management conservation. In this study, we present first attempt towards spatial characterization vegetation diversity within Khakea-Bray Transboundary Aquifer. Following Spectral Variation Hypothesis (SVH), used multispectral remotely sensed data (i.e., Sentinel-2 MSI) to characterize diversity. This involved use Rao’s Q measure spectral several measures variation validating using field-measured on effective number species). We observed that has potential spatially Specifically, discovered was related (R2 = 0.61 p 0.00), coefficient (CV) best derive Q. Vegetation also as a proxy for priority areas hotspots. more concentrated around natural pans along roads, fence lines, rivers. addition, decrease with an increasing distance (>35 m) simulated inverse piosphere minimal utilization water pans). provide baseline information necessary Furthermore, work provides pathway resource managers achieve SDG 15 well national regional Aichi targets.