Integrated GIS, Remote-Sensing and Ecological Assessment of a Potential Intertidal Seagrass Meadow in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, Liberia

This preprint presents an integrated geographic information system (GIS), remote-sensing, ecological, and spatial-modelling assessment of a potential intertidal seagrass meadow in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, Liberia. Field photographs and site observations are combined with RGB-based remote-sensing interpretation and eight assessment locations representing ocean-facing, core-meadow, lagoon-transition, pressure-edge, and lagoon/mangrove environments. The study examines vegetation distribution, environmental conditions, coastal habitat characteristics, and spatial habitat suitability and establishes a framework for future sediment, biomass, and blue-carbon assessment. The results provide baseline information for targeted botanical verification, ecological monitoring, coastal habitat management, and conservation planning in Liberia. The vegetation is classified as a potential seagrass meadow pending botanical confirmation. Species identification and quantitative ecological, water-quality, sediment, biomass, and carbon estimates require confirmation through replicated field measurements, laboratory analyses, and multispectral satellite validation. Author: John Nyemah Natt Jr.Affiliation: Center for Meteorology, Oceanography and Climate Research – LiberiaDocument type: PreprintPublication date: 9 September 2026