Application of Remote Sensing and GIS Tools for Recognizing Changes of Mangrove Forests in Ca Mau Province

Abstract

Mangrove forests have plaid an important role for economic development, protection of environment and natural biodiversity in coastal regions. However, in recent years, mangrove forests in Mekong Delta in general and in Ca Mau province in specific have reduced significantly. Amount of evidence demonstrated that shrimp culture has resulted in the reduction of mangrove forests. The successes of remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS) tools have been demonstrated in land use management in recent years, especially in study field of mangrove forest. Based on the analyzing of topographical map (1965) and the results of remote sensing analysis of SPOT images in 1995 and 2001, mangrove status and changes of Ngoc Hien District were identified. The dynamic processes of mangrove changes were divided into two periods. In the period of 1965-1995, mangroves decreased gradually, while in the period of 1995 - 2001, they had a significant reduction. Totally, after 36 years, mangrove forests lost more than 50 % of the areas. In addition, many areas of mangroves were not forests; they were only mangrove trees.