Advancing Micro-Ecotone Mapping Using UAV Photogrammetry and GIS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64229/zkxf5z57Keywords:
Ecotone, Micro-ecotone, Unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry, Object-based image classification, Digital elevation modelAbstract
Ecotones are transitional boundaries between ecosystems and essential to regulating biodiversity and ecological processes. Although ecotones are often wider transition zones like aquatic-terrestrial boundaries, they can happen at fine spatial scales (micro-ecotones) and occur over only a few meters or even centimeters. In the past, ecotones have been examined using one-dimensional transects or coarsely resolved remote sensing data for analysis. However, such methods have been too coarse to detect the fine-scale spatial heterogeneity of micro-ecotones. This work develops a geospatial framework to map fine-scale aquatic-terrestrial micro-ecotones at Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh, utilizing high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry integrated with geographic information systems. High-resolution RGB imagery was obtained using a DJI Mavic Pro and at a height of 200 ft, producing a 3 cm vertical accuracy. Object-based image classification was applied in ArcGIS Pro using support vector machine classifiers, spectral indices, textural measures, and structural features derived from digital elevation model and canopy models to delineate micro-ecotones. The accuracy assessment confirmed that a high degree of accuracy (96.20%, Kappa coefficient- 0.9584) exists between the orthomosaic and classified image. The data analysis revealed a specific spatial pattern in micro-ecotone distribution, with a significant decrease in micro-ecotone density with increasing elevation. In addition, Spearman correlation analyses clearly revealed a strong negative relationship (–0.971) between elevation and micro-ecotone occurrence, confirming that micro-relief features and water proximity are key factors that regulate micro-ecotone occurrence. The combination of UAV imagery, OBIC, and field verification can be used for micro-ecotone configuration and vegetation distribution.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Bibi Hafsa, Sifatul Hoque Siam, Mahib Reza, Ripa Akter, Khandakar Hasan Mahmud (Author)
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