BioIntertidal Mapper software: A satellite approach for NDVI-based intertidal habitat mapping

Abstract

BioIntertidal Mapper is a user-friendly tool, with a graphical user interface, that automates the selection and processing of Sentinel-2 imagery, to generate intertidal habitat maps. The software uses Google Earth Engine API and the WorldTides API to select imagery acquired at low tide within a specified timeframe. These images are subsequently processed to calculate a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, which is masked, based on a shapefile defining the area of interest. Maps are exported to a Google Drive folder. The program offers a simple solution for scientific and environmental manager to map intertidal habitats using free and publicly available satellite imagery.

Keywords

• Primary producers
• Low tide
• Coverage
• Environmental management
• Google earth engine
• Python