Application of geospatial models to map potential Ruditapes philippinarum habitat using remote sensing and GIS

This study applied geographic information system (GIS)-based models to map the potential Ruditapes philippinarum (Korean littleneck clam) habitat area in the Geunso Bay tidal flat, Korea. Remote-sensing techniques were used to construct spatial datasets of ecological environments, and field observations were undertaken to determine the distribution of macrobenthos. The mapping of potential habitat was completed and eight controlling factors relating to the distribution of tidal macrobenthos were determined. These were the tidal flat digital elevation model, slope, aspect, tidal annual exposure duration, distance from tidal channels, tidal channel density, spectral reflectance of the near-infrared bands, and surface sedimentary types, which were all generated from satellite imagery. The spatial relationships between the distribution of R. philippinarum and each control factor were calculated using a frequency ratio, logistic regression, and artificial neural networks combined with GIS data. Individuals wer...