573
© Springer International Publishing AG 2017
C.W. Finkl, C. Makowski (eds.), Coastal Wetlands: Alteration and Remediation,
Coastal Research Library 21, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-56179-0_19
Chapter 19
Mangrove Inventory, Monitoring, and Health
Assessment
Ajai and H.B. Chauhan
Abstract Mangroves occur world-wide in the tropics and subtropics, mainly
between 32°N and 38°S latitudes. These are assemblages of salt tolerant shrubs and
trees that grow along the inter-tidal regions in the form of narrow strips or as extensive patches in estuarine habitats and river deltas. Mangroves or Mangal perform
many important functions in the coastal and marine environment as well as provide
vital and unique ecosystem goods and services including livelihood of coastal people in terms of forest produce and fishery resources. In spite of its ecological and
economic significance, mangroves are under threat from human activities in addition to natural causes. The anthropogenic threats to this ecosystem include reclamation of mangrove areas for human habitation, aquaculture, agriculture, port and
industrial development. Conservation and management of the mangrove ecosystem
requires spatial inventory of mangrove cover, its type and canopy density as well as
its monitoring with time. The physical conditions and harsh environment in and
around the mangrove forest make the conventional methods of data collection
extremely difficult. Under such conditions, data from remote sensing satellites provide a viable option for mapping and monitoring of mangroves.
Mangroves, their importance and threats to this vital ecosystem are discussed
here. Remote sensing techniques and its application in the context of mangroves
have been briefly discussed. Use of satellite data for mapping and monitoring of
mangrove forests has also been described in this chapter. Methodology for spatial
inventory of mangroves at community level along with canopy density is also presented in detail. Case studies on the inventory and monitoring of mangroves have
also been discussed. A model for mangrove health assessment, based on the satellite
data and conventional inputs, have been developed and presented here. This multiparameter health assessment model has been discussed and demonstrated through a
case study from India.
Keywords Mangroves • Inventory and monitoring • Remote sensing • Earth observations • Mangrove health model • Coastal ecosystems
Ajai (*) • H.B. Chauhan
ES, CSIR, Space Applications Centre, ISRO, Ahmedabad 380015, India
e-mail: drajai_in@yahoo.com
© Springer International Publishing AG 2017
C.W. Finkl, C. Makowski (eds.), Coastal Wetlands: Alteration and Remediation,
Coastal Research Library 21, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-56179-0_19
Chapter 19
Mangrove Inventory, Monitoring, and Health
Assessment
Ajai and H.B. Chauhan
Abstract Mangroves occur world-wide in the tropics and subtropics, mainly
between 32°N and 38°S latitudes. These are assemblages of salt tolerant shrubs and
trees that grow along the inter-tidal regions in the form of narrow strips or as extensive patches in estuarine habitats and river deltas. Mangroves or Mangal perform
many important functions in the coastal and marine environment as well as provide
vital and unique ecosystem goods and services including livelihood of coastal people in terms of forest produce and fishery resources. In spite of its ecological and
economic significance, mangroves are under threat from human activities in addition to natural causes. The anthropogenic threats to this ecosystem include reclamation of mangrove areas for human habitation, aquaculture, agriculture, port and
industrial development. Conservation and management of the mangrove ecosystem
requires spatial inventory of mangrove cover, its type and canopy density as well as
its monitoring with time. The physical conditions and harsh environment in and
around the mangrove forest make the conventional methods of data collection
extremely difficult. Under such conditions, data from remote sensing satellites provide a viable option for mapping and monitoring of mangroves.
Mangroves, their importance and threats to this vital ecosystem are discussed
here. Remote sensing techniques and its application in the context of mangroves
have been briefly discussed. Use of satellite data for mapping and monitoring of
mangrove forests has also been described in this chapter. Methodology for spatial
inventory of mangroves at community level along with canopy density is also presented in detail. Case studies on the inventory and monitoring of mangroves have
also been discussed. A model for mangrove health assessment, based on the satellite
data and conventional inputs, have been developed and presented here. This multiparameter health assessment model has been discussed and demonstrated through a
case study from India.
Keywords Mangroves • Inventory and monitoring • Remote sensing • Earth observations • Mangrove health model • Coastal ecosystems
Ajai (*) • H.B. Chauhan
ES, CSIR, Space Applications Centre, ISRO, Ahmedabad 380015, India
e-mail: drajai_in@yahoo.com