Assessment of State Transition Dynamics of Coastal Wetlands in Northern Venice Lagoon, Italy

A significant shift in the spatial distribution of halophytic vegetation and sediment types occurred in the Lido basin, Venice Lagoon, between 2001 and 2009, marking a period of major ecological transition. This finding was derived from a multi-temporal analysis using Landsat satellite imagery (1990–2011), which revealed fluctuations in the coverage of Sarcocornia-Limonium, a key species promoting sediment deposition, ranging from 13% to 50%. The study introduces a scalable methodology leveraging Earth Observation (EO) techniques to monitor coastal wetland dynamics at various scales, supporting sustainable habitat management and evidence-based policy-making. By identifying ecosystem-level indicators of surface biophysical properties, the research provides insights into the stability and evolution of intertidal flats, with implications for nature-based solutions and morphological restoration efforts.

Taramelli, A., Valentini, E., Piedelobo, L., Righini, M., & Cappucci, S. (2021). Assessment of State Transition Dynamics of Coastal Wetlands in Northern Venice Lagoon, Italy. Sustainability, 13(8), 4102. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084102