Change detection in land cover mapping using remote sensing data over prioritized hydrographic basins of Venezuela

Published on 29 May 2025 , by Veronica De Souza

Change detection in land cover mapping using remote sensing data over prioritized hydrographic basins of Venezuela

Published on 29 May 2025 , by Veronica De Souza

Challenge-ID

Description

The challenge is to determine changes in watershed coverage in the watersheds prioritized by the Venezuelan Ministry of Water over the past five years, using medium- and high-resolution satellite data to identify the areas of need for response to identified problems and minimize the risk to water reservoirs.

Has this problem been acknowledged in the past?

Yes, it has been previously known by the government and other entities, which is why it is necessary to have the most recent information in order to take corrective measures.

Can this challenge be solved using space technologies and data?

Yes, space technology can help with the challenge, through the use of medium- and high-resolution satellite imagery. We are interested in monitoring land cover changes, which can be used as a reference to validate land use changes in the last five years. Estimation of loss of vegetation cover and its possible cause (deforestation, mining, agricultural practices, among others), to determine its incidence in the basin and therefore in the bodies of water. We want to obtain results that really help establish or improve public policies in the management of hydrographic basins.

We will work directly with the Ministry of Water, which has the most up-to-date information on watershed prioritization for water consumption (shapefiles). We have the official information used in the country regarding hydrography and other aspects. We will use the work done by MapBiomas Venezuela and the Sentinel WorldCover Map as a reference. We also have a catalog of high-resolution satellite images from VRSS-2 (Venezuelan Remote Sensing Satellite-2) and other satellites.

Expected timeframe to develop a solution

It will most likely take a few months, perhaps a year to determine the results of the challenge.

Potential consequences if no action happens

If the proposed study is not conducted, the problems may continue to wreak havoc on the water reservoirs to the point that possible corrective measures will take longer to recover the area, if applicable.

What are additional physical requirements for a solution?

Computers, data storage, field research and reforestation capacity if necessary.

Problem Definition

Currently, there is no recent official information on land cover and use in the country's priority watersheds in terms of drinking water consumption, whose significant changes could be affecting the proper management of the watershed. We will start with the smallest prioritized hydrographic basin. It would be ideal to have access to high-resolution images from other satellites since our country has high cloud cover in some areas and this would improve the timeliness of the data we already have.

Success criteria

Detect changes in land cover over the past 5 years in 16 priority watersheds in the country. Determine the possible causes of the identified changes. Inform the competent authorities for field verification.

Thematic focus area

LULC

Relevant data sources/publications

Chacón-Moreno, E., & Llambí, L. D. “Land-use and climate change impacts in the Venezuelan Andes at multiple spatial–temporal scales.” In Safeguarding Mountain Social-Ecological Systems, Vol 2, 47–52. Elsevier, 2024. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780443328244000225?via%3Dihub.

MapBiomas Venezuela. “Colección 2 de mapas anuales de cobertura y uso del suelo en Venezuela enrte 1985 y 2023.” 2024. https://venezuela.mapbiomas.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Factsheet_Venezuela_Col-2_04.11.pdf.

Mejía, J. F., & Hochschild, V. “Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) Change in the Boconó River Basin, North Venezuelan Andes, and Its Implications for the Natural Resources Management.” In Environmental Land Use Planning, edited by S. Appiah-Opoku. IntechOpen, 2012. https://doi.org/10.5772/53579.