Wetland Mapping using High resolution Satellite Images in the Jaffna Peninsula

Abstract: Wetlands are among the world's most productive environment and important for ecological process as well as for their rich biodiversity. Unique and rare plant and animal species can be found in different wetlands all over the world. Sri Lanka is a tropical country and it has rich biodiversity. According to the Asian wetland directory, 41 wetland sites were identified in Sri Lanka as an international importance. Among these sites, seven wetlands have been identified in the Jaffna Peninsula. Number of wetland conservation projects was implemented to maintain wetland in Sri Lanka. However, such initiatives have not been implemented in the Jaffna Peninsula due to the long unrest ethnic war. There is lack of updated information regarding the wetlands. In fact, information on wetland location, size, type and its characteristics are either out dated or no detailed informationis available which are significant to facilitate the conservation and sustainable management of wetland. This study was carried out to prepare wetland map using high resolution satellite images and Geographic Information Techniques (GIS). Images were visually interpreted and carried out digitizing by onscreen method. According to the study, seven wetland types and eleven land covers have been identified and mapped its spatial distribution. This study has been successful in identifying spatial pattern of wetlands and provides useful information for wetland conservation and management of the study area