Boothroyd, RJ., Nones, M. and Guerrero, M. (2021). Deriving planform morphology and vegetation coverage from remote sensing to support river management applications. Frontiers in Environmental Science. 9: 657354. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2021.657354
Focusing on a reach of the Po River (Italy), satellite imagery from Landsat 5, 7, and 8 for the period 1988–2018 were analyzed in Google Earth Engine (GEE) to investigate changes in river planform morphology and vegetation dynamics associated with transient hydrology. Time series analysis showed that NDVI maxima were recorded in May/June and coincided with the first peak in the hydrological regime (occurring in late spring and associated with snowmelt). Seasonal variation in vegetation coverage is potentially important for local flood risk, and remotely sensed information can provide river scientists with new insights to support the management of highly anthropized watercourses.