Global Intertidal Change (1984-2016)

The intertidal environment is one of the last remaining unmapped coastal ecosystems on Earth. Here we present a recent analysis of over 700,000 satellite images that maps the global extent of and change in tidal flats over the course of 33 years (1984–2016). About 70% of the global extent of tidal flats is found in three continents (Asia (44% of total), North America (15.5% of total) and South America (11% of total)), with 49.2% being concentrated in just eight countries (Indonesia, China, Australia, the United States, Canada, India, Brazil and Myanmar). For regions with sufficient data to develop a consistent multi-decadal time series—which included East Asia, the Middle East and North America—we estimate that 16.02% (15.62–16.47%, 95% confidence interval) of tidal flats were lost between 1984 and 2016. Extensive degradation from coastal development, reduced sediment delivery from major rivers, sinking of riverine deltas, increased coastal erosion and sea-level rise signal a continuing negative trajectory for tidal flat ecosystems around the world.

For complete information please see: Murray N. J., Phinn S. R., DeWitt M., Ferrari R., Johnston R., Lyons M. B., Clinton N., Thau D. & Fuller R. A. (2019) The global distribution and trajectory of tidal flats. Nature. 565:222-225 [http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0805-8]

or visit the

Global Intertidal Change [https://www.intertidal.app/home] website.

Data and Resources

This dataset has no data

Additional Info

Field	Value
Source	https://app.mapx.org/static.html?views=MX-VC1G9-BP67X-QZ8HS&zoomToViews=true#JAAc6
Author	UNEP/GRID-Geneva
Maintainer	UNEP/GRID-Geneva
Last Updated	December 7, 2022, 08:12 (UTC)
Created	December 7, 2022, 08:12 (UTC)
GUID	MX-VC1G9-BP67X-QZ8HS
Issued	2019-02-15 17:48:50
Language	EN
Modified	2021-11-26 20:05:13
Publisher email	info@mapx.org
Publisher name	UNEP/GRID-Geneva
Theme	Web Map
data_type	geospatial
keywords_m49	WLD
projects_description	This project was set up in the frame of the implementation of the Cartagena Convention Secretariat’s 2020/2021 work plan and budget approved by the Sixteenth Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region held from July 28-30, 2021
projects_id	MX-L2W-HWZ-RIC-LM1-Y0V
projects_title	Caribbean Sea and Wider Caribbean Region
range_end_at_year	2021
range_start_at_year	1984
source_abstract	The intertidal environment is one of the last remaining unmapped coastal ecosystems on Earth. Here we present a recent analysis of over 700,000 satellite images that maps the global extent of and change in tidal flats over the course of 33 years (1984–2016). About 70% of the global extent of tidal flats is found in three continents (Asia (44% of total), North America (15.5% of total) and South America (11% of total)), with 49.2% being concentrated in just eight countries (Indonesia, China, Australia, the United States, Canada, India, Brazil and Myanmar). For regions with sufficient data to develop a consistent multi-decadal time series—which included East Asia, the Middle East and North America—we estimate that 16.02% (15.62–16.47%, 95% confidence interval) of tidal flats were lost between 1984 and 2016. Extensive degradation from coastal development, reduced sediment delivery from major rivers, sinking of riverine deltas, increased coastal erosion and sea-level rise signal a continuing negative trajectory for tidal flat ecosystems around the world. For complete information please see: Murray N. J., Phinn S. R., DeWitt M., Ferrari R., Johnston R., Lyons M. B., Clinton N., Thau D. & Fuller R. A. (2019) The global distribution and trajectory of tidal flats. Nature. 565:222-225 [http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0805-8] or visit the Global Intertidal Change [https://www.intertidal.app/home] website.
source_title	Global Intertidal Change (1984-2016)
spatial	WLD