Résumé
This study aimed at evaluating the potential of remote sensing technologies for updating Mediterranean wetlands maps from Marseille to the Franco-Spanish border. Previously, these maps were manually produced through in situ surveys. The maps, presenting a typology of 16 wetland classes, can be used for natural area managers to monitor Mediterranean ecosystems as well as to mosquito operators to identify mosquito breeding areas, thus reducing prospecting time and providing guidance on areas requiring treatment. The project developed a supervised classification methodology using Orfeo ToolBox and the Random Forest algorithm applied to Sentinel-2 optical imagery (10m-20m resolution). Training data were derived from updated existing databases. The process involved two stages: a Level 1 classification (e.g., saline, brackish, freshwater wetland, woodland, urban) followed by a Level 2 classification detailing 16 natural habitat classes. The classification achieved a Kappa Index of 0.9, an overall accuracy of 0.913, and an F1-score of 0.87, demonstrating its reliability compared to traditional methods. The resulting maps offers improved details, harmonisation, and precise visualisation of areas requiring monitoring with reduced fieldwork. This study validates remote sensing as a valuable tool to support EID Méditerranée's expertise, optimises resources, and improves the cartographic updates of managed wetlands. Further research is required to integrate additional sensors and environmental variables, validate results, and automate processes for sustainable long-term application. Additionally, future work will be done to refine natural habitats definition to better identify ecological habitats directly linked to mosquito breeding areas in Mediterranean wetlands.
✓ Remote sensing (supervised classification), enable us to obtain a harmonised map of wetlands over the entire EID Méditerranée action zone, and to produce a test map of ecological levels that is close to reality on the ground. ✓ Field surveys still have a decisive role to play in obtaining reliable results. ✓ Further research for updating swamp mosquitoes larval habitat map.