Long-Term Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Ulva prolifera Green Tide and Effects of Environmental Drivers on Its Monitoring by Satellites: A Case Study in the Yellow Sea, China, from 2008 to 2023

Abstract

Ulva prolifera (U. prolifera) green tide outbreaks have occurred in the Yellow Sea of China for many years, causing serious losses to marine ecology and the marine economy. The monitoring and tracking of U. prolifera green tide is a crucial aspect of marine ecological disaster prevention and control management. This paper aims to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution changes in U. prolifera green tide in the Yellow Sea throughout its life cycle. A survey of the Yellow Sea from 2008 to 2023 was conducted using multi-source remote sensing images. Long-term monitoring and analysis of U. prolifera revealed the evolution process of the green tide, including the early development, outbreak, decline, and extinction stages, considering time, space, and frequency of occurrence. Additionally, this study examined peak coverage change patterns over the past 16 years and analyzed the influence of environmental factors such as sea surface temperature and sea surface wind field on the development of U. prolifera. The research results serve as a valuable reference for the monitoring, early warning, and scientific prevention and control of U. prolifera green tide in the Yellow Sea, as well as other similar marine disaster areas.