Remote sensing and GIS methods use for dynamics studies in the Caspian Sea coastal zone

This paper presents methods and some results of multidate airborne and satellite imagery for environmental studies in rapidly changing conditions of wetlands regions: Volga Delta at the Northern Caspian coast (Russia) is a case study. Remotely sensed data are important mapping and monitoring medium, but problems with concurrent use of aerial photos and satellite images varying in spatial resolution and other properties are widely known. One possible way of study changing territories basing on remotely sensed data is to compile maps, depicting the territory at some moments. Data from aerial and space surveys cover the period from 1951, including the Caspian low-stand in 1977, the subsequent Caspian rise and the highest sea level in 1996-1999. Maps based on multi-date images characterize the state of the vegetation in 1951, 1977-1981, 1989-1992 and 1996-1999. GIS-analysis of the maps allows indication the peculiarities of delta vegetation response to the sea level drop and raise.