Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem’s Health Using Remote Sensing – Case Study: Burullus Wetland – Ramsar Site

Abstract

Complex ecosystems as wetlands are very sensitive to changes and disturbances. Human activities causing habitat fragmentation that alter landscapes affect the wetland ecosystems and negatively influence biodiversity. The health of the ecosystem is measured as a homeostasis between the system components and stability or resilience of the system against disturbance; therefore, any anthropogenic disturbances can cause dramatic changes in the balance of wetland ecosystem. Burullus, the second largest of the Egyptian northern coastal wetlands along the Mediterranean coast, has been recognized recently as critically endangered ecosystem according to an assessment using IUCN Red List of ecosystems. The study sought to assess Burullus wetland’s health based on multispectral indicators related to the structure, function, and resilience of the ecosystem. Three indices were calculated to quantify the health of the wetland: the structure index, vigor index, and resilience index.