Mangroves v1.0: a new taxonomic tool to characterize mangroves. The case of South east Indian and Sri Lankan mangroves and potential application to African mangroves

In this paper we present an innovative tool for plant identification conceived to reinforce the national capacity building in taxonomy. We introduce Mangroves v1.0, built up on a species identification system called IDAO (Identification Assistée par Ordinateur). This software allows the identification of 50 mangroves species of South East India and Sri Lanka, with the perspective to adjust and extend to other of the world. This software provides and facilitates dissemination of scientific and traditional knowledge. Corollary, it appears as a good support to training, research and development actions and its applications, from awareness to practical management of trees and the ecosystem, could benefit African mangroves and contribute to their renewed interest. (Résumé d'auteur

IDAO: Un programa grafico para la identificacion de plantas y la formacion. Su applicacion en Laos

En el presente trabajo se presenta una base de datos computarizada sobre uno de los "hotspots" de biodiversidad de Asia, los bosques húmedos del norte de la cordillera Annamite en Laos. Esta base de datos se realizó utilizando el programa IDAO. Dicho programa difiere de las claves dicotómicas de identificación de plantas en que es un sistema experto completamente grafico y con múltiples entradas. Se discuten las ventajas de la utilización de un sistema gráfico de identificación de plantas para entender y evaluar la biodiversidad de áreas significativas por su riqueza florística, como así también su interés en la formación de jóvenes botánicos, y en proveer y facilitar la diseminación del conocimiento científico y tradicional. (Résumé d'auteur

A new mobile app based on botanical expertise for identifying Asian mangroves species

Preserving tropical vegetation biomes stems with an accurate identification of constituent plant species. In Asia, identifying mangrove plant species is particularly required in biodiversity assessment, restoration or preservation programs, which are pivotal components of theecosystem4 s preservation from unsustainable anthropogenic activities.The necessary rigour coming from botanical expertise, however, remains both insufficiently considered and unavailable for non-botanists including scientists, local communities and stakeholders of the coastal zone management. In this work, we will present a mobile application, working on both iOS and Android, that allows for the identification of 51 Asian mangrove species at your fingertips. We have based our approach on generic drawings covering the full range of botanical characters that guarantee the identification of mangrove species at both propagule and adult growth stages. The tool has been evaluated in situ by botanist and non-botanist scientists from different Asian countries. In the first instance, we will discuss difficulties in correctly identifying Asian mangrove species, especially, those from the same family, and the technical approach we chose to finally solve them. Then, subsequently, we will demonstrate how, with this app, we will be able to map mangrove species in tropical vegetation biomes with the objective of sharing accurate survey data on existing mangrove flora all around the world, year after yea

Monitoring changes on mangroves coasts using high resolution satellite images. A case study in the Perancak estuary, Bali

Very high resolution (VHR) satellite images provide crucial information on fast changing coastal regions of the world. Within the framework of the INDESO project, we designed a specific application dedicated to the monitoring of mangroves in Indonesia. In this work, we focused on the case study of the Perancak river estuary, Jembrana, Bali. The estuarine area was subject to aquaculture development during the 80's and most of the mangrove forest was cleared. Since the 90's, mangroves are progressively reintroduced thanks to plantation practices. Now, many shrimp ponds are abandoned. We based our analysis on a temporal series of VHR satellite images acquired since 2001 in the aim of following -up 9 years of changes occurring in mangrove vegetation. We map and quantify the trends of evolution in mangroves surface extents, forest types and structure (young, adult, mature) after ground trothing surveys. Overall, the Perancak estuary is currently greening, i.e. increasing extent and continuous growing of mangroves are observed. However, the estuarine hydrology is still constrained by ponds dykes and plantations are monocultures of Rhizophora species which are probably not the initial dominant species. The sustainability of the Perancak estuary must be questioned confronted to this greening evidence. (Résumé d'auteur