Evaluating seasonal dynamics of land covers and the distribution of karstic dissolution holes using multispectral satellite and GEDI data in North Andros, Bahamas

Mapping karst terrains is essential for understanding landscape evolution and supporting environmental management, but field-based methods are often limited by dense vegetation and difficult accessibility. This study evaluates the use of open-access Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery combined with GEDI LiDAR canopy structure metrics for reconnaissance-level mapping of surficial karst features on North Andros Island, Bahamas. We focus on dissolution holes larger than 1 m2 and their relationships with vegetation structure, seasonal dynamics, and geomorphology. Multi-season imagery from 2021 to 2023 was analyzed alongside canopy metrics, and classification models were applied to identify vegetation and land cover types, validated against previous ground observations. Coastal coppice showed the densest canopy, inland coppice exhibited fragmentation associated with dissolution holes, and pineland rockland (Pinus caribaea) reflected an open canopy. Dissolution holes in inter-dune swales were most detectable during the dry season via SWIR reflectance, while vegetation changes and fire events influenced spectral responses and canopy fragmentation. Seasonal timing and vegetation dynamics emerged as key factors for improving karst detection. Integrating open multispectral data with canopy structure metrics provides a cost-effective, transferable tool for monitoring karst landscapes, with broader applications for land-use planning, hazard mitigation, and environmental management.