Advances in Remote Sensing for Coastline Dynamics, Bathymetry, and Water Bottom Mapping

Dear Colleagues,

(1) An introduction highlighting the scientific background and importance of this research area.

This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research and innovative methodologies in the application of remote sensing technologies to coastal and aquatic environments. It invites contributions that explore the dynamic nature of shorelines, the retrieval of bathymetric data through Earth observation techniques, and the mapping of submerged vegetation and water bottoms.

The Special Issue welcomes interdisciplinary studies that integrate technological advancements, methodological rigor, and environmental applications. Contributions may span across geospatial analysis, marine ecology, hydrodynamics, geomatics, and environmental monitoring.

Targeted at scientists working in coastal geomatics, remote sensing, marine geology, coastal engineering, and aquatic ecosystem research, this Special Issue seeks to foster dialog and collaboration across disciplines to advance the understanding and sustainable management of coastal zones.

(2) Aims of the Special Issue and how its subject relates to the journal’s scope.

This Special Issue aims to advance the scientific understanding and practical applications of remote sensing in coastal and aquatic environments. It focuses on the development and refinement of Earth observation techniques for monitoring shoreline dynamics, retrieving bathymetric data, and mapping submerged vegetation and water bottoms. By addressing challenges such as radiometric distortions and water column interference, the Special Issue seeks to promote more accurate and scalable methodologies for coastal zone analysis.

The thematic scope aligns closely with the journal Remote Sensing, which emphasizes the use of satellite, airborne, and UAV-based technologies for environmental monitoring and geospatial analysis. The Special Issue contributes to this mission by:

• Showcasing novel algorithms and sensor applications tailored to aquatic environments.
• Encouraging interdisciplinary approaches that integrate geophysics, marine ecology, and geomatics.
• Supporting the development of open-access datasets and reproducible workflows for coastal research.

Through this focused lens, the Special Issue will serve as a platform for scientists to share insights, validate emerging techniques, and foster collaboration across disciplines engaged in remote sensing innovation.

(3) Suggested themes and article types for submission.

Suggested Themes:

• Shoreline Dynamics and Change Detection: Techniques for monitoring and modeling coastal erosion, accretion, and morphological evolution using remote sensing data.
• Bathymetry Retrieval from Earth Observation: Advances in satellite-derived bathymetry (SDB), UAV-based methods, and multispectral image processing for shallow water mapping.
• Radiometric and Water Column Corrections: Methodological innovations for correcting surface reflectance distortions and enhancing seabed visibility in optical imagery.
• Submerged Vegetation and Water Bottom Classification: Mapping aquatic vegetation and benthic habitats using spectral indices, machine learning, and object-based image analysis.
• Sensor Fusion and Multi-Platform Approaches: Integration of satellite, aerial, and in situ data for comprehensive coastal zone assessment.
• Climate Resilience and Coastal Monitoring Applications: Use of remote sensing to support sustainable coastal management, risk assessment, and policy development.
• Article Types
• Original Research Articles: Novel methodologies.
• Review Articles: Comprehensive overviews of current techniques, challenges, and future directions in coastal remote sensing.
• Technical Notes: Focused reports on algorithm development, sensor calibration, or data processing workflows.
• Case Studies: Applied research in specific geographic regions demonstrating practical implementation of remote sensing tools.

Prof. Dr. Antonino Maltese
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• shoreline change detection and modeling
• satellite, boat, and unmanned vehicle-based bathymetry estimation
• correction of water surface radiometric effects
• water column correction techniques for improved seabed mapping
• novel algorithms for submerged vegetation classification and monitoring