This paper presents the results of coastal environmental mapping of Golfão Maranhense, Brazil, using a methodological approach that includes: (a) integrated analysis based on digital image processing of Landsat-4 TM, SPOT-2 HRV, RADARSAT-1 SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) data; (b) geographic information system; (c) field surveys related to geomorphology, topography and sedimentology. Mapped environments were grouped into four sectors: Sector 1, with salt marsh, fresh marsh, estuarine channel and intermittent lake; Sector 2, embracing coastal plateau, fluvial floodplain, sandflats, macrotidal beach, urban areas, artificial lakes and mudflats; Sector 3, including, paleodunes covered with grass, mangroves and mixed intertidal banks; Sector 4, constituted by mobile dunes. In addition, perennial lakes, ebb-tidal deltas and supratidal sandflats were recognized. Digital image processing visual analysis of orbital remote sensing data in association with geographic information system, proved to be effective in tropical coastal mapping, allowing the generation of products with good accuracy and cartographic precision.
coastal environments; wetlands; orbital remote sensing; images; Amazon Region
