Geospatial Assessment of Halophyte Ecosystems in the Cuddalore Coastal Belt, Bay of Bengal

Halophyte ecosystems and wetlands are vital coastal habitats that sustain biodiversity, buffer climate impacts, and enhance resilience. Along the Bay of Bengal, the Cuddalore coastline supports extensive salt marshes, mangroves, and wetlands increasingly threatened by urbanization, industrial discharge, and sea level rise. This study employed an integrated geospatial approach, combining multi-temporal Sentinel‑2 imagery with rigorous ground truth validation, to assess spatial dynamics and ecological health. Using SNAP software, Land Use Land Cover (LULC) classification and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis delineated vegetation signatures, zonation patterns, and transitional areas prone to misclassification. Results revealed distinct halophyte distributions, notably Suaeda maritima and Avicennia officinalis, with significant spatial variability driven by natural and anthropogenic factors. Integration of satellite data with extensive field surveys ensured high classification accuracy. The findings provide a robust baseline for conservation planning and highlight the urgent need for targeted strategies to protect these critical habitats.