Changing mangrove distributions in the Pioneer estuary (Queensland, Australia): evaluating a technique for monitoring mangrove health

Jupiter, Stacy, Phinn, Stuart, Duke, Norman, and Potts, Donald (2004) Changing mangrove distributions in the Pioneer estuary (Queensland, Australia): evaluating a technique for monitoring mangrove health. In: Proceedings of 10th International Coral Reef Symposium (2) pp. 1727-1731. From: 10th International Coral Reef Symposium, June 28 - July 2, 2004, Okinawa, Japan.

[img] PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

 
35


Abstract

The net area of mangroves in the Pioneer estuary (Queensland Australia) has declined by 22% (137 ha) since 1948 due to clearing, development, hydrological manipulations, and climate variation. Within the past decade, a severe species-specific dieback has additionally affected over 50% of remnant mangrove cover within the system. We predict this recent, rapid mangrove loss has increased erosion of estuarine sediments and pollutant s to nearshore waters. Quantifying historical mangrove changes in the Pioneer Estuary is the key for understanding potential threats to nearshore water quality. While manual digitization from aerial photography is suitable for mapping broadscale changes in mangrove distribution, this technique underestimates the total loss due to dieback. Regions of mangrove dieback can be mapped more effectively and efficiently by applying the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to Landsat satellite data. In change detection analyses from 1990 to 2000, 44 ha had "lower NDVI" (i.e. reduced canopy density) and 56 ha had "higher NDVI" (i.e. increased canopy density). This study illustrates use of change detection analysis as an important monitoring tool for mangrove habitat s in reg ions of heavy anthropogenic influence; its advantages include rapid processing time (hours), low data costs and high accuracy.

Item ID: 1515
Item Type: Conference Item (Research - E1)
Keywords: Pioneer estuary, mangrove, die back, aerial photography, Landsat, change detection analysis
Related URLs:
Date Deposited: 01 Jun 2007
FoR Codes: 16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1605 Policy and Administration > 160512 Social Policy @ 0%
Downloads: Total: 35
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page