Juidías et al. (2025) Satellite-Derived Spectral Index Analysis for Drought and Groundwater Monitoring in Doñana Wetlands: A Tool for Informed Conservation Strategies

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Identification

• Journal: Geographies
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-12-03
• Authors: Emilio Ramírez Juidías, Paula Romero-Beltrán, Clara-Isabel González-López
• DOI: 10.3390/geographies5040075

Research Groups

Not specified in the provided text.

Short Summary

This research introduces the Water Inference Moisture Index (WIMI), a new spectral index derived from Sentinel-2 imagery using machine learning, to monitor surface water dynamics in the Doñana wetlands. The study reveals a concerning trend of surface water disappearance and declining water retention capacity, even during normal rainfall years, indicating increased stress on groundwater resources.

Objective

• To develop and apply the Water Inference Moisture Index (WIMI) using Sentinel-2 L2A imagery to evaluate surface water dynamics and assess changes in water availability in the Doñana wetlands from 2016 to 2024.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Doñana wetlands, southern Europe.
• Temporal Scale: 2016 to 2024 for WIMI analysis; combined with long-term records for precipitation and climate data.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Water Inference Moisture Index (WIMI), developed using a machine learning approach, utilizing near-infrared (B08) and red (B04) bands.
• Data sources: Sentinel-2 L2A imagery, long-term precipitation records, climate data.

Main Results

• The Water Inference Moisture Index (WIMI) effectively identifies wetland water with high sensitivity, even in areas with dense vegetation.
• Surface water is gradually disappearing across the Doñana wetlands, a trend observed even during years with normal rainfall.
• This indicates a significant change in the water retention capacity of the wetlands and increasing stress on groundwater resources.
• The annual WIMI values showed a decreasing correlation with rainfall in recent years, suggesting a decoupling of surface water availability from precipitation.
• These local effects of climate change align with broader aridification trends reported in the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report.

Contributions

• Introduces WIMI as a novel, low-cost, and scalable spectral index for effective monitoring of wetland surface water dynamics.
• Provides critical evidence of ongoing surface water loss and declining water retention capacity in the ecologically vital Doñana wetlands.
• Highlights the increasing stress on groundwater resources, offering valuable insights for climate adaptation and conservation strategies.
• Offers a practical tool and data-driven insights to inform immediate policy actions for groundwater protection and support Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action and water security.

Funding

Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Juidías2025SatelliteDerived,
  author = {Juidías, Emilio Ramírez and Romero-Beltrán, Paula and González-López, Clara-Isabel},
  title = {Satellite-Derived Spectral Index Analysis for Drought and Groundwater Monitoring in Doñana Wetlands: A Tool for Informed Conservation Strategies},
  journal = {Geographies},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.3390/geographies5040075},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/geographies5040075}
}