Advancing Coastal Aquaculture Insights: a Multi-Sensor Approach Using Earth Observation Time Series Data to Delineate Pond Aquaculture Dynamics

This study introduces a methodological approach utilizing dense optical satellite time series data to monitor the spatiotemporal evolution of onshore coastal pond aquaculture in Asia. The methodology, applied across 22 coastal countries, involves extracting, delineating, and analyzing pond aquaculture at a continental scale. The comprehensive dataset reveals distinct expansion patterns from the 1980s to 2019, indicating significant growth and spatial shifts. Geostatistical analyses on growth rates and spatial expansion patterns at various administrative levels unveil the developmental dynamics, showcasing the impacts on coastal ecosystems and protective vegetation barriers. The findings emphasize the critical role of spatial data in understanding and managing the extensive pond aquaculture systems that dominate Asia's coastal regions.