GIS-based Classification of Habitat, Land Use, and Land Cover in Several Creeks within Sindh Province's Indus Delta

Abstract

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used to forecast fish habitats globally, providing extensive data on fish species distribution. Satellite imagery captured by satellites helps identify important stream habitats. In Pakistan's Sindh Coast, over fifty creeks, seventeen of which are large, out of that thirteen were examined. Satellite photography was used to evaluate stream characteristics, and thirteen land use categories were observed. From 1992 to 2014, land cover and land use in creeks fell by 33.68%, with shallow and deep waters making up 29.7% of the land. Sea intrusion led to mud soil erosion in several creeks, with Issaro Creek experiencing the greatest loss of both dry and wet mud lands. Wet Mud Land shrank by 25.8% during the same period. Coverage of bare sand, dry mud land, and turbid water increased. Area covered by mangroves increased by around 4.36%. Agriculture land was found only at the Jhang River, while built-up regions were limited to Chani Creek, with a small jetty area at Keti Bunder.