SPECTRAL CHARACTERISTICS OF Suaeda Japonica AND ITS DISTRIBUTINON ASSOCIATED WITH MORPHOLOGIC CHANGE OF THE GANGHWA-DO TIDAL FLAT, KOREA

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to analyze spectral characteristics of Suaeda japonica using satellite images and field surveys for its distribution associated with morphologic change of tidal flat. Suaeda japonica is a common salt marsh plant and one of the major halophyte species. Suaeda Japonica has widely developed in the Ganghwa-do tidal flat, Korea, where characterized by high dynamics of tidal currents and vast tidal flats. Halophyte normally develops as a big patch on the alluvial sediments at the border of tidal and non-tidal flat. Salt marsh vegetation largely contributes to the stability of surface sediments through feedbacks involving hydrodynamic and sediment circulations [1]. Especially, these affect to the vertical development of wetland because they enhance the adhesion force of sediments. The relative elevation of the surface determines the duration and frequency that these habitats are submerged by tides including the macrophytes [2]. If demineralization of tidal flat proceeds, the colony of halophyte moves to the seaward where salinity concentration is relatively higher. The change of halophyte zonation can be an environmental indicator of the landization of tidal flat.