STATUS OF MANGROVES IN SRI LANKA

In Sri Lanka many estuaries and lagoons are fringed with vastly diverse mangrove forests. The total mangrove cover is very small as 0.1 to 0.2 percent of the total land area. The distribution of fauna and flora varies along with wet and dry zone in the country. Around 25 species of flora are exclusive to mangroves and more than 25 species can be identified as associated mangroves. Variety of invertebrates and vertebrates are conspicuous in the mangrove forests, but only a few species are confined to the ecosystem. Heavy utilization and reforestation for shrimp farms and building construction work severely affect on this ecosystem. When compare to decline rate of mangrove forests in Sri Lanka, current implemented conservation measures are inadequate

Assessing the Use of SAR/Optical Data Fusion and TensorFlow for Improved Mangrove Mapping

Mangrove forests are found in intertidal zones of tropical regions around the world and provide important ecological and economic benefits they are considered carbon sequesters, habitats for flora and fauna, and natural barriers to hurricanes and tsunamis. Wood from mangrove forests are used as fuel and building materials in surrounding coastal communities, therefore promoting local livelihoods. Despite the importance of these ecosystems, mangrove forests have historically been degraded in natural processes such as severe weather, and anthropogenic factors like conversion to agriculture and aquaculture. This study assesses change in mangrove forests in Nigeria and Mozambique from 2015 to 2018 using SAR and optical data fusion. Due to frequent cloud cover over the study area, SAR and optical data is fused to obtain gap-free imagery without clouds. Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-1 imagery is fused with TensorFlow, an open source platform used in developing machine learning models. The resulting images are classified to discriminate mangrove forest cover from other land cover types, and change is estimated using image differencing. Understanding the rates and magnitude of mangrove change across space and time can aid in identifying priority areas for forest regeneration, and can help construct sustainable management practices for the future

Managing Sustainable Mangrove Forests in Peninsular Malaysia

Mangrove forests in Peninsular Malaysia are found mainly on the sheltered coasts, estuaries, rivers and some near-shore islands. Mangrove forests support a diverse range of animals and plants and are important breeding ground for a vast array of organisms. The importance of mangrove forests in providing invaluable goods and services both in economics and environmental terms are well understood and documented. Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia (FDPM) has been keeping abreast with current issues at the national, regional and international levels in managing the mangrove forests. FDPM has always been fully committed to the implementation of the sustainable forest management practices and in line with current concerns such as climate change, conservation of biological diversity and natural calamities including tsunami, have brought about a heightened expectation to the forestry profession. The policy and management of mangrove forests have great impacts on the political, social, economic, ecological and environmental well- being of the country, and thus managing mangrove forests is very challenging to the department. Mangrove forests management system has undergone changes from merely managing for its wood produce, to a management system that incorporates multiple roles, protection and conservation. Systematic management of mangrove forests started as early as 1904, with the adoption of the first working plan for Mangrove Forests in Matang. The Matang mangroves are identified as the best described mangrove forests in the world and is an exemplary of the sustainable managed mangrove forests. The Matang mangroves is in its third ten-year period of the second rotation, and after more than 100 years of management, the forest is still intact, providing sustainable various goods and services. This in itself is a manifestation of the success of forest management practices that aptly earned Matang mangroves as the best managed mangrove forests in the world. Special emphasis to the protection of the mangrove forests is enshrined in the National Forest Policy 1978 (revised1992) and duly recognized and given specific attention in the National Forestry Act 1984 (revised 1993). Future management of mangrove forests in Peninsular Malaysia will adopt an integrated approach by further refining the current management approach and incorporating latest findings and updated information through more vigorous R&D, scientific expeditions and studies on mangrove forests. A paradigm shift to conserve biodiversity even in the management of production mangrove forests will be emphasized. The National Forestry Policy and other policies related to mangrove forests need to be revised from time to time to match prevailing conditions and requirements, to ensure the realization of its multi-functions in perpetuity. The success in the sustainable management of mangrove forests by FDPM has in fact contributed to the sustainability of the Wetlands in Malaysia which is crucial to the survival and future health of the earth too

Assessing the Value of Krabi River Estuary Ramsar Site Conservation and Development

Krabi River Estuary, a ramsar site located in southern Thailand, is dominated by two major natural vegetation assemblages, i.e. mangrove forests and seagrass beds. According to the cluster development strategy, the cabinet has approved in principle to develop Krabi as the global marine tourism center and economic gateway of Asia. This study aimed to assess the economic value of the site, using market price and benefit transfer. The impact on economic activities with the 5% annual decline of mangrove forests was evaluated. The estimated annual use value of the site was $9.7 million for recreation and tourism. The economic value of mangrove forests was$758/ha. The net present value of mangrove forests was $73.1 million based on 7$21.0 million or $2.3 million per year. The results imply that a development project that causes the same rate of mangrove destruction must generate a least an income of$2.3 million per year to be considered as an economically feasible project.Krabi River Estuary,ramsar site,wetland management,economic valuation,direct use values

Quantitative Review and Distribution Status of Mangrove Forest Species in West Africa

This paper statistically evaluated the distribution of mangrove forest distributions in Nineteen (19) countries of Africa where eight major species of mangrove exist. Secondary data about mangrove forest coverage from literature were obtained in respect of 19 countries of West Africa where mangrove forest exists for six years. The data were subjected to ANOVA statistical analysis using STATISTICA software package. The results indicated highest estimates of mangrove coverage in Nigeria with highest total mangrove coverage of 7386km2 and Sao Tome Principe with lowest estimates of 1.4km2. The results indicated that most West African mangroves forests suffer progressive decline particularly the countries that have large mangrove forests. The results also suggest that most West African countries are yet to evolve conservation ethics for their mangrove forests. Of all the countries, the Nigerian mangrove forest is the most threatened by fragmentation, isolation and surface drainage alteration that could be traced to indiscriminate logging, urbanization and recent oil and gas activities in the Niger Delta.Keyword: Mangrove forests, West African Forests, Forest evaluatio

Persepsi Masyarakat Desa Sungai Awan Kanan terhadap Keberadaan Hutan Mangrove di Kawasan Pantai Air Mata Permai Kabupaten Ketapang

Mangrove forest in the coastal area of Air Mata Permai is one source of the livelihood of local people. The relation between communities and the existence of mangrove forests has led to the perception of the communities as an effort to maintain and to conserve mangrove forests. This research objective is to look communities perception of the SAK Village to the presence of mangrove forests in the coastal area of Air Mata Permai district Ketapang and the factors that affect. The method used in this research is a survey method and technique of sampling or interviews with respondents conducted by purposive sampling. The number of respondents in this research is 90 respondents. The results showed the level of communities perception of SAK Village to the existence of mangrove forests in the coastal area Air Mata Permai tends to higher as many 52 respondents (57.78%) had a high perception, 25 (27.78%) of respondents have the perception medium and 13 respondents (14.44%) have a low perception. Mangrove forest in the coastal area of Air Mata Permai is one source of the livelihood of local people. The relation between communities and the existence of mangrove forests has led to the perception of the communities as an effort to maintain and to conserve mangrove forests. This research objective is to look communities perception of the SAK Village to the presence of mangrove forests in the coastal area of Air Mata Permai district Ketapang and the factors that affect. The method used in this research is a survey method and technique of sampling or interviews with respondents conducted by purposive sampling. The number of respondents in this research is 90 respondents. The results showed the level of communities perception of SAK Village to the existence of mangrove forests in the coastal area Air Mata Permai tends to higher as many 52 respondents (57.78%) had a high perception, 25 (27.78%) of respondents have the perception medium and 13 respondents (14.44%) have a low perception. Keywords: Mangrove Forests, local communities, ccosystems and perception. Keywords: Mangrove Forests, local communities, ccosystems and perception

Kontribusi Pelestarian Hutan Mangrove terhadap Tingkat Pendapatan Anggota Kelompok Pengelola (Kpm) Belukap Desa Teluk Pambang Kecamatan Bantan Kabupaten Bengkalis Provinsi Riau

Mangrove forests are important life-supporting ecosistem in coastal areas. According to Macnae (1968), mangrove is defined as a group of vegetation that grow between the highest water level during high tide and the lowest water level during low tide. At Teluk Pambang village, an organization called Kelompok Pengelola Mangrove (KPM) Belukap was formed due to the anxiety of nearby people to further irresponsible demage of mangrove forests. After the co-fish project, a group was created to manage and project mangrove forests for fishery activities. This research aims to study the contribution of mangrove forest conservation to the income of KPM Belukap at Teluk Pambang village, Kecamatan Bantan, Kabupaten Bengkalis, Riau Province. Contribution of mangrove forest conservation and income data were collected, tabulated, analyzed. Income data were collected descriptively using survey papers. Analysis result show that the conservation of mangrove forests increase the income of KPM Belukap by 1,20% to 3,75%

Assessment on Capability of Mangrove Forests at Kuala Sepetang against Wave Attack Using GIS Application

Mangrove forests, that is not being treated or not being acknowledged as in the past, has recently been and recognized as the valuable ecosystem. Mangrove forests are important for coastal ecosystems, serving numerous environmental services and ecological functions. Mangrove forest also plays an important function as an erosion control because it decelerates the wave before it hits the coastline area including protection from strong storm and wind. But, it does not. Mangrove forests also has been traditionally utilised by the local people for full range of purposes. However, the global mangrove forest is declining much faster than others typical forest. There is so much pressure on the mangroves itself as human exploitation heightened. Natural disaster such as tsunami back in 2004 and other extreme environmental disaster has endangered and caused further losses of mangrove forests. It is important to check the capability of the existing mangrove forests along the coastline area in withstanding the wave attack

Partisipasi Masyarakat Dalam Rehabilitasi Hutan Mangrove (Studi Tentang Peran Pemerintah Dalam Meningkatkan Partisipasi Masyarakat Untuk Rehabilitasi Hutan Mangrove Di Badan Lingkungan Hidup Kota Probolinggo)

: Society Participation Towards the Rehabilitation of Mangrove (Study about Government Roles to Improving the Society Participation for Mangrove Forest Rehabilitation in Environmental Agent at Probolinggo City). Mangrove forests in Probolinggo City are increasingly degraded and damaged because of the construction and activities of the local community. The Government of Probolinggo through the Environmental Agent rehabilitates the mangrove forest based on the society participation. The focus of this research are 1) to know the role of Probolinggo Government in improving society participation in conserving mangrove forests, 2) to know the results achieved in the implementation of efforts to preserve mangrove forests 3) to know the supporters and restricting factors in increasing the participation of the community in the rehabilitation of mangrove forests. The results of this research were to increase community participation through some strategies that build community participation, do nursery and infrastructure development. BLH Probolinggo had acted properly by running its role as a modernists, regulator, catalysts, stabilizers, dinamisator and as a pioneer. The results obtained in the implementation of rehabilitation were the positive impacts for the participation of the community, the livelihood of fishermen and the conservation of mangrove forests