Analysis of an impact of succession in mangrove forest association using remote sensing and GIS technology

In this study, we used SPOT HRV satellite data, with 10 m resolution, from four different years (1996, 2004, 2007 and 2010) to identify different mangrove forest associations and analyze the change in mangrove associations with time. The classification of mangrove forest association in Can Gio Biosphere Reserves had the overall accuracy between 83.78% and 88.78%. Forest association change analysis indicated that between 1996 and 2010, the area of ‘association I-with the dominant is Rhizophora apiculate’ was continuously increased by 18,292.65 ha (average 1,306.62 ha/year increase): 10,214.79 ha increase between 1996 and 2004, 1,921.41 ha between 2004 and 2007 and 6,156.45 ha between 2007 and 2010. The total area of ‘association II- with the dominant are Avicennia alba, Sonneratia alba’ decreased by 4,123.86 ha as much of the forest in this category changed to ‘association I’ as a result of strict protection. However, there was a small increase in association II (820.27 ha) between 2007 and 2010. Over the years, from 1996 to 2010, total area of ‘association III-includes species are Phoenix paludosa, Nypa fruiticans, Acathus ebracteatus, Acrostichum aureum’ decreased by 11,568.55 ha: 7,273.04 ha (1996-2004), 537.72 ha (2004-2007) and 3,757.79 ha (2007 -2010).