A Spatiotemporal Change Detection Analysis of Coastline Data in Qingdao, East China

Abstract

This study focuses on the coastal features, environments, and dynamics to accurately describe and regularly monitor the Qingdao shoreline in eastern China. It collects categorical ETM+ and OLI data from 2000, 2010, and 2019 on the mainland coastline and explores the characteristics and spatiotemporal differences across the past 19 years by using remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) technologies. The results show that the length of the Qingdao coastline has increased continuously over the last two decades, for a total increase of 18.14 km. There are different natural and artificial coastlines that have undergone major changes. The human-induced deterioration of coastlines has gradually and substantially risen from 53.63% in 2000 to 68.40% in 2019, while the length of the natural coastlines has decreased dramatically. Jiaozhou Bay focuses on areas with significantly changing coastlines, and major changes have occurred in the west and east of the Qingdao coast. The coastline has largely expanded seaward because of the comprehensive impact of natural and anthropogenic factors. The leading factor in coastal evolution is coastal engineering constructions. In addition, the top three other construction activities are the restoration of the aquaculture pond, salt field, and harbor edifices. The driving force that triggered the shift in the coastline reveals significant temporal heterogeneity.