Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences Vol. 43(8), August 2014, pp. 1429-1437

Historical Commentary

Visual interpretation of pictorial data and reconnaissance survey to extract information on Kuwait‘s coastal landscape

Saji Baby1 & Mohammad Al-Sarawi2

1Birla Institute of Technology, Department of Remote Sensing, Mesra, India. 2Kuwait University, Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, Kuwait

[*Email: sajimathewvk@hotmail.com]

Received 27 September 2012; revised 28 Jan 2013

Visual interpretation is an effective tool in extracting the information to understand the coastal evolution from the action of humans and by mediating the negative consequences of Land Use Land Cover Changes (LULCC). Present study describes and portrays an approach to capture the changes in the visual character of the coastal morphological landscape in Kuwait over the period through interpretation of real time data. It reveals considerable detail on the nature and distribution of coastal habitats in the area of interest. The output of this research states that the evolution of physical geography and the coastal morphological landscape (CML), mainly from anthropogenic activities.

[Keywords: Land use and land cover; coastal morphology; landscape changes; visual elements]

Introduction

The study aims in gathering information on morphological changes on coastline (Fig. 1) from visual interpretation and focus on the following objectives: (1) reveal considerable detail of the coastal area and provide a scientific virtual tour guide (2) extraction of information on evolution of physical geography and coastal morphological landscape (CML), mainly from anthropogenic (3) discover historical information occurred in the coastal physical geography which would be critical for decision makers and building coastal management strategies.

According to Moriarty (1996)1 ‗Perception‘ at the most basic level, the meaning of a sign is internalized by the process of perception - the intersection of our senses with reality-based data as information from the perceived world is "registered". Ishii (2007)2 in his work has cited that the interpretation of the image could vary depending on the viewer‘s perspective. Further, Ishii (2007)2 stated that images carry connotation and often time, a visual data has no meaning by itself but the expert‘s explanation further illustrates the technical aspects behind the visual data especially photographs or images. Clark (1999)3 reported that photographs capture and introduce content area.

Material and Methods The methodology adopted is simple but yet it is

skilled techniques involving (i) visual interpretation

Fig.1—Kuwaiti Coastal Area – LANDSAT Picture (2003)

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of satellite images, pictures, photographs and videos, an expert skill is employed in the remote sensing discipline for extracting information, (ii) reconnaissance survey for observation and ground truthing and (iii) collection of visual information and compilation.

Image interpretation depends on the interpretation keys which an experienced interpreter has established from prior knowledge and the study of the current images. The 6 element category shown in the pyramid (Fig. 2) are considered while interpreting and extracting information from features from the visuals. Visual Interpretation Process

Two types of data interpretation and information extraction techniques are known: 1) Visual Perception (manual) method using human eye and 2) Digital analysis and processing method using analysis software.

In this study we have adopted ‗visual perception manual method‘ by human eye directly or using computer screen aided by software and the requirements are: A- Study area data which includes (i) hard or soft

product from DIP (Satellite Digital Image Processing), (ii) photographs (ground, and aerial), (iii) videos (ground and aerial), and (iv) sketches.

B- Illumination. C- Computer to view the image on a screen and

software for visualization, Graphics, Image processing and GIS software.

Visual interpretation is performed by examining analog or digital imagery (monochromatic or

multispectral). Satellite observations have provided dramatic pictures for this study as the basis for a new scientific paradigm-earth-system science5.

There is no single, right way to approach the interpretation process6. Image interpretation is the science and art of obtaining information about an object or area through analysis of data7.

The approach illustrated in the diagram (Fig.3) was adopted by incorporating the elements of interpretations (Fig. 2). Results and Discussion

The pictures in Figure 4 depict the coastal morphology scenarios of the old Kuwait City. Photograph ‗a‘ shows the old traditional way of washing clothes in sea water. Photograph ‗b‘ is an old marina having two openings for water circulation

Fig.2—Element of Image Interpretation: Order and Method of Research

Fig.3—Visual Interpretation Process

Fig. 4—Old Pictures of Coastal Kuwait City (Source references: 8)

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during Ebb and Flood Tides. This marina was situated near Kuwait National Assembly which was opened on February 1980s (photograph d). Photograph ‗c‘ shows the area of ‗Gubla‘ during 1927 with marina and the old cemetery.

Figure 5 the aerial photograph of old City taken during 1939 shows the old Seif Palace, the old Vegetable & Meat Market, the Cemetery and coastal private marina.

CML of 1939 (Fig. 5) and the photographs (Fig. 4) indicates Kuwait City was densely populated with built up area during that period of time. Images (Fig. 6) acquired from space i.e. the first generation of U.S. photo collected between 1960 and 1972 from CORONA, ARGON, and LANYARD9.

It can be noticed from the satellite images (Fig. 6) that the Mesopotamian Marshes and delta provides an environment that allows the Tigris and Euphrates to often meander along, forming distributaries. It can be seen from 15th June 1964 as compared to 1st August 1963, that the marshland is flooded and the tributaries have carried the water downstream flooding Warbah and North Bubiyan. 1964 and 1966 shows the land was recovered. In the past thirty years, over 90% of the marshlands have been desiccated through the combined actions of upstream damming (more than 30 dams) and development in Syria, Turkey and Iraq10, 11.

These activities have completely changed the freshwater flow pattern in the North-western part of the Arabian Gulf, an important Kuwaiti sea territorial area for the past 30 years (Fig. 7), reducing the availability of water for downstream ecosystems and

eliminating the floodwaters that nourishing the marshlands.

The construction of dams had blocked the free flow of sediments downstream reaching the Shatt Al-Arab and Shatt Al-Basra. Figure 8 shows the turbid water of Arabian Sea due to sediment and chlorophyll from the Shatt Al-Basra (not seen in the picture), Shatt Al-Arab and other small tributaries arising from main rivers Euphrates and Tigris. Bubiyan and Warbah islands have massive sedimentary deposits from Tigris-Euphrates river system.

Figure 9 is the image of 1966 and 2003 showing the coastal developments which have occurred during these years. It can be seen drastic coastal development occurring from 1960s till 2003 or what we observe today (2014).

Aerial photographs (Fig. 10) of 12-03-92 for six islands of Kuwait (Miskan, Auha, Umm Al-Namil, Kubbar, Umm Al-Maradim and Qaruh) at scale of 1:6500 are shown below. Bubiyan, Warbah and Failaka (Fig.11) are the bigger island.

The coastal development trend along the Sulaibikhat Embayment, Governorates of Al-Asema, and Hawally can be observed from satellite images (Fig. 12) taken during 1966, 1967, 1968 and 2000.

It is interesting to learn that there was additional island apart from the nine islands, named Al-Akaz

Fig. 5—Aerial Photograph of Old Kuwait City (1939) (Source references: 8)

Fig.6—Morphological Changes of Warba and North Bubiyan (1963 to 1966)

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(Fig. 13 a, b & c), which was reclaimed for the development of Shuwaikh Port (Fig.13d) during early 1980s.

The processed image (Fig.13) from Landsat 7 ETM+ (1993) shows the effect on the coast of Kuwait Bay from Euphrates-Tigris-Shatt Al-Arab Delta. The north shore covers various features - sand beaches, hard and low productivity areas, tidal flats, high productive hard mud flats, and high productive

soft mud flats. From Shuwaikh Port onto the city the shoreline is dominated by sea walls, harbor structures, recreational beaches, and waterfront areas.

Aerial Photographs (Fig. 14a, b, & g) taken from helicopter and Ground Photographs (Fig.14c, d, e, f, h, i, j, k & l) during the year 2002-04, represent the activities near Sulaibikhat Bay. Figure 14a, b, & c shows the Gazali outlet from where sewage and illegal industrial dump flows into the Kuwait Bay.

Fig.7—Mesopotamian Marshland Changes (1973 - 2000) (Source reference: 12)

Fig.8—Landsat Image for North-East of Kuwait

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Fig.9—Satellite Image Depicting the Coastal Development (1966 to 2003)

Fig. 10—Aerial Photograph of 6 Small Islands (Source: Kuwait University)

Fig. 11—Landsat 7 ETM+ 6th March 2001 (4, 3, 2 – R, G, B) showing 3 Bigger Islands

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Fig.12—Image Showing Changes along the Coast of Kuwait Bay and Arabian Gulf (1966 to 2000).

Figure 14 b shows the coast west of Gazali along the side of Kuwait University (KU) and Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR). Figure 14d, e & f shows reclamation work with the gatch bought from Jahra quarry. Photographs (Fig.14g, h, i, j, k & l) reveal the sunken boat and barge within the shipyard,

deep into the mud that existed in the early 2000s near the shores of KU and KISR and were removed later.

Land use of the coasts of Al-Sabriya (Fig. 15) in north is mainly beach houses, coast guard utilities and offices, and government establishments. The coast

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facing the Bubiyan is sandy. These areas were less affected by human interference. But recent development of Railway Bridge, Road Bridge and coastal reclamation (Fig.15) across the mainland to Bubiyan and is causing massive changes in the CML and would attract more coastal landform modification.

Recent changes in strategies have changed the outlook.

Almost all the natural CML stretching from Shuwaikh Port to the border of Saudi Arabia have been occupied by human beings and modified. Al-Sarawi et al. (1995)13 stated that there are 843

Fig.13—Landsat 7 ETM+ 28th February 1993 showing Coasts of Kuwait bay

Fig.14—Coastal Reclamation along Southern Coast of Kuwait Bay.

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Fig. 16—Coastal Visual Interpretation Map illegal structures, including boat ramps, small harbors, piers, jetties, retaining walls and wave breakers found from Kuwait City to Saudi Arabia border.

Conclusion 1. Pictures taken in 1927 (Fig.4) and 1939 of Old

Kuwait City (Fig.5) indicate the pre-development coastal land uses activities and dependence. Temporal and synoptic views of satellite images (Fig. 10) for 1966 and 2003 illustrate the extensive increase in the coastal land use for the last 50 years.

2. Temporal data from satellite for 1963, 1964 and 1966 (Fig.6) shows the impact of change in hydrological regimes in the upper rivers (Euphrates and Tigris).

3. The sub tributaries and Mesopotamian marshland have the potential to influence and change the CML northern Kuwait.

4. Interpretation has indicated the sensitivity of the coast, along the Kuwait Bay, shores of Bubiyan, Warbah and Al-Khiran Creeks.

5. The construction of Mubarak Al-Kabir Port, railway, bridges, road and Sabah Al-Ahmed Sea City at Al-Khiran Creeks will have major impact on the CML.

6. The visual-documentation from historical visuals reveals important information about the evolution of Kuwait coast and causes.

7. A ―Coastal Visual Interpretation Map‖ (Fig. 16) is generated from interpretation of visuals and reconnaissance survey along the coastal edge and from information on coastal morphology14-18. The map generated is merely a subjective impression.

The coast was classified into 6 broad categories; (1) Built-up(a) (2) Built-up(b) (3) Less Interfered (4) Built-up(a) and Sensitive (5) Built-up(b) and Sensitive (6) Less Interfered and Sensitive

Fig.15—Major coastal development along the coast of Sabriya observed during 2011

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