Satellite-based mapping of near-surface and surface water in the Prairie Pothole Region of Central Canada

The Prairie Pothole Region occupies a large portion of North American Great Plains and is characterized by millions of depressions (potholes) that form wetlands. Although the wetlands have various hydro-ecological and socio-cultural functions and services, they are under immense pressure from the impacts of land use and climate change. Therefore, there is a need to characterize these wetlands, not only to understand their services and functions but also to design management practices for effective wetland protection and restoration. Wetlands are often characterized using surface and near-surface hydrological data acquired in situ or via remote sensing observation. In this research, the in situ-measured hydrological data was able to characterize the variability of near-surface hydrology in the Prairie Potholes Region of Central Canada. However, owing to the limitations of in situ measurements, the research established functional relations between remote sensing (RADAR/LiDAR) and near-surface hydrological data. Empirical models developed from these relationships effectively mapped aerial soil moisture and monitored regional and local soil moisture dynamics during the snow-free periods. Furthermore, a more accurate way of delineating prairie wetlands, classifying wetland types and monitoring the wetland boundary changes, IS explored using integrated RADAR/LiDAR/optical data. In conclusion, the research has produced a novel mapping and monitoring technique and results that significantly advance the understanding of hydrodynamics and important hydrologic controls of wetlands and the surrounding uplands at various spatial scales.;Keywords: Prairie Potholes Region, Prairie Grasslands, Prairie Climate, Hydrology, Hydrodynamics, Wetlands, Soil Moisture, Optical Remote Sensing, Radar Remote Sensing, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), Saskatchewan.