Remote sensing-based decadal landform monitoring in island ecosystem

Global life-threatening weather conditions and sea level rise (SLR) increasingly impact coastal landforms and increase shoreline change. The island ecosystem is affected by many natural hazards, including flooding, saltwater intrusion, vegetation degradation, shoreline change and population growth. Simultaneously, urbanization and ecological diversification are also trigger the environmental degradation in island ecosystem. Remote sensing (RS) and GIS-based research are carried out at Djerba Island using decadal spatiotemporal Landsat datasets to identify and manage such problems. Landsat imageries are widely applied for landforms monitoring along with the ocean dynamics, therefore decadal landforms and environmental issues of Djerba Island are examined through 30 m medium resolution satellite imageries. The selected study years are 1984 to 2021 applying Landsat datasets. Between 37 years of analysis, build-up areas have increased by 105.18 km², while sediment areas have decreased by 3.2 km² due to the SLR in Borj El Kastil, Aghir, Plage, and Trou Deniaud locations. Vegetation increased around 17.59 km² while bare lands decreased 47.28 km² due to the palm, olive, and tree plantations over the Island. The entire area of Djerba Island observed 513.20 km² (1984), 513.79 km² (1991), 515.22 km² (2001), 516.26 km² (2011) and 513.42 km² (2021) respectively. The Djerba Island needs more attention, awareness, and protection to reduce the environmental degradation. This study information is supportive and aimed at future policymaking, policy implementation, disaster-related management, coastal management, and coastal erosion reduction.