Assesment of Amazon floodplain habitats using TM/Landsat data

ABSTRACT

The size and diversity of the Amazon region make it difficult to know the area and the spatial distribution of its habitats. The use of satellite imagery can help to map those habitats. In this study, images acquired by the Thematic Mapper sensor on board of the American satellite Landsat-5 were used to map floodplain habitats within reach of the Amazon river between Parintins and Obidos. The following habitats were mapped Turbid water lakes and rivers, clear/black water lakes and rivers, mixed water lakes and rivers, aquatic vegetation stands, flooded nonforest vegetation and flooded forest vegetation. The extent of each habitat is an essential information to determine the contribution of the Amazon floodplain to the global methane budget.