Mangrove cover dynamics and community zonation in Gulf of Kachchh A study based on synergistic use of optical and microwave satellite data

Abstract

This research work has demonstrated efficacy of digital classification techniques using both newlineoptical as well microwave satellite data in inventory and monitoring of mangrove cover and newlinecommunity classes of the mangrove covered regions of the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat, India newlineand has attempted to understand causes for changes in the mangrove habitats.The present newlinework has utilized optical and microwave satellite data for studying mangrove cover dynamics newlineand community zonation in the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat, India.The Gulf of Kachchhis a newlinesemi-enclosed basin situated in the north-west part of the Indian coast in the state of Gujarat. newlineOccupying an area of approximately 7300km2, this region is characterized by the presence of newlineshoals, channels, inlets, creeks, mudflats, islands, mangroves and coral reefs. The Gulf of newlineKachchh is a highly energetic macro-tidal system of the northeastern Arabian Sea. The tidal newlineranges in the Gulf of Kachchh reach upto 7.2 m. The region is characterized by arid/semi-arid newlineclimate with an average annual rainfall of 50 cm. The mangroves in the Gulf show spatial newlinevariability in extent, composition and condition based on dominant coastal processes, newlinegeomorphological setting and amount of protection from anthropogenic influences.Mangrove newlinecover dynamics has been studied for five mangrove occupying regions of the Gulf viz., i) newlinearound Kori creek along north-west coast, ii) around Mundra along northern coast, iii) around newlineKandla along northern coast, iv) around Satsaida bet in north-eastern coast, and v) Marine newlineNational Park and Sanctuary (MNPandS) along southern coast of the Gulf of Kachchh.This newlinestudy has observed that in all the five study regions mentioned above, Avicennia marinais the newlineonly dominant species, with smaller patches of Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora apiculata, newline