Classification of Land Use and Vegetation in Marismas Nacionales, Mexico

Abstract

In recent decades, satellite imagery and GIS technologies have transformed land-use analysis, enabling more precise and accessible studies. In Mexico, efforts such as the National Forest and Soil Inventory, INEGI’s Land Use and Vegetation Series, and mangrove inventories provide key information, although they present limitations that generate inconsistencies in areas such as Marismas Nacionales. In this region, official classifications do not match current on-the-ground conditions, often identifying agricultural or aquaculture areas as natural vegetation. This study produced an updated 2022 land-use map using Landsat 8 imagery, classified through supervised methods and manual editing, integrating fieldwork and accuracy assessment. A total of 19 land-cover classes were defined, revealing a highly transformed landscape dominated by agriculture but still containing key ecosystems such as mangroves, wetlands, and tropical forests. As a final product, an interactive digital map was developed for public consultation and to support environmental decision-making processes.