Monitoring of Eco-Restoration of Mangrove Wetlands through Time Series Satellite Images: A Study on Krishna-Godavari Delta Region, East Coast of India

抄録

Comparative analysis of time series satellite images spread over the past four decades indicated significant changes in the mangrove environment of the Krishna-Godavari twin deltas along the east coast of India. We analyzed Landsat-MSS, TM and ETM images from 1977, 1990, and 2000, respectively, and Indian Remote Sensing Satellite images from 1992, 2001, and 2013, which indicated that the mangrove cover in the region increased from 35,058 ha in 1977 to 39,283 ha by 2013. In spite of loss of mangrove vegetation over 8,036 ha due to coastal erosion, deforestation, decline and aquaculture encroachments, several mangrove-restoration projects taken up during 1991–2008 led to an overall increase in its area. Various mangrove eco-reforestation techniques were adapted in the region.