Towards Characterisation and Classification of Canadian Macrotidal Salt Marshes

Despite interest in understanding the extent, distribution, and condition of tidal marshes in Canada, they have yet to be comprehensively mapped. Existing inventories show significant overestimation of Canadian tidal marsh extent, indicating that a regional model may be required. This thesis provides a review of freely available remote sensing data relevant to tidal marshes in the Bay of Fundy and uses freely available medium-resolution imagery to classify high and low tidal marsh extent in the Cumberland Basin for 2020 and 2023. Prediction maps are compared to five existing global and regional tidal marsh datasets and used to generate predicted change (activity) data. Assessment of prediction maps and activity data are then used as the basis to discuss the optimal sensor(s) and minimum requirements, the effects of model optimisation, and the potential for using medium-resolution imagery for the generation of activity data operationally for carbon inventories.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geography

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Richardson, Elisha Marie

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2024 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, distribution to students, research and scholarship. Theses may only be shared by linking to the Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be copied without proper attribution to the author; no part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2024-16290

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/43351