Global Salt Marsh Change Maps from Landsat

Landsat satellite data reveals global salt marsh loss and gain at 30-meter resolution over five-year intervals from 2000 to 2019. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration produced these maps using a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index anomaly algorithm on Landsat 5, 7, and 8 imagery. Data is distributed in cloud-optimized GeoTIFF format.

Use Cases

• Analyzing spatial patterns of salt marsh loss or gain using the 30m resolution change rasters.
• Quantifying blue carbon sequestration potential by mapping changes in coastal vegetation extent.
• Assessing coastal habitat resilience by tracking changes over five-year periods from 2000-2019.
• Calibrating regional wetland models with globally consistent, satellite-derived change data.

Strengths

• Provides a 20-year temporal record (2000-2019) for analyzing long-term trends.
• Offers high spatial detail with a 30-meter resolution from Landsat imagery.
• Uses a consistent NDVI anomaly algorithm across multiple satellite platforms (Landsat 5, 7, and 8).

Limitations

• Specific row/column counts and dataset size are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date: one lists 2019-12-31, another lists 2026-03-13.
• The exact license terms under 'other-license-specified' are not detailed.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Estimated using a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) anomaly algorithm on Landsat 5, 7, and 8 collections.

Time Range

2000-2019

Freshness

2026-03-13 01:50:17.046741

Geography

Global, within the known extent of salt marshes.