Vegetation cover dynamics mapping of the curonian spit national park using ALOS and SENTINEL-2 satellite imagery

Between 2007 and 2017, the Curonian Spit National Park experienced contrasting vegetation dynamics on its lagoon and sea sides. While forest cover expanded and sand stabilization increased along the lagoon due to protective measures, sea-side foredunes eroded under wind, wave, and recreational pressure, reducing forest area and increasing exposed sands. High-resolution ALOS and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, combined with automated classification algorithms (Random Forest and Maximum Likelihood Estimation), enabled precise mapping of these changes. The study quantified key ecosystem indicators—forest cover percentage, coniferous tree share, waving sand extent, and vegetation-fixed sand coverage—revealing critical shifts in park structure over a decade.

Nikitina, A. D., Knyazeva, S. V., Gavrilyuk, E. A., Tikhonova, E. V., Eydlina, S. P., & Koroleva, N. V. (2020). Vegetation cover dynamics mapping of the curonian spit national park using ALOS and SENTINEL-2 satellite imagery. Forest Science Issues, 3(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.31509/2658-607x-2020-3-1-1-14