Spatial distribution of reed in Baiyangdian Lake from 2016 to 2022 interpreted by remote sensing

This study investigated the spatial changes in reed distribution in Baiyangdian, using high-resolution remote sensing imagery. It revealed a substantial alteration in the distribution of reeds within Baiyangdian from 2016 to 2022. The reeds have converted with five types of land cover, including water, cropland, orchards, woodlands and building land. The reed area increased by 14.3% to 103.7 km² in 2022 compared to 2016. The expansion primarily occurred in the shallow waters of Zaozhadian in the western part of Baiyangdian. The expansion of reed area is attributed to the continuous water replenishment in order to preserve the ecology and the restoration of cultivated land to wetland ecosystem. After the removal of the dyke, the 26.55 km² of reed swamp on the dyke became open water. It increases the hydraulic connectivity of Baiyangdian lake and accelerates the restoration of ecological function of Baiyangdian Lake.