Conservation and management of mangrove forests

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 94 views

Introduction

Climate change is a pressing issue that affects the entire world, and it is primarily caused by the release of large quantities of carbon into the atmosphere. Mangrove forests, as unique coastal ecosystems, play a crucial role in mitigating climate change due to their ability to absorb and store carbon in the long term. The east coast of North Sumatra is home to a significant area of mangrove forests, and understanding the potential storage of carbon in these forests is essential for developing effective conservation and management strategies. This study aims to estimate the mangrove forest carbon stock using Sentinel-2A imagery in the east coastal region of North Sumatra.

Background

Mangrove forests are complex ecosystems that provide a range of ecosystem services, including shoreline protection, water filtration, and carbon sequestration. They are found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world and are characterized by their unique combination of salt-tolerant trees and shrubs. Mangrove forests are highly productive ecosystems, with high rates of primary production and carbon sequestration. However, they are also vulnerable to a range of threats, including deforestation, coastal development, and climate change.

Methodology

This study used a combination of destructive and non-destructive methods to obtain biomass data and carbon stock. The primary data used included wood density in each type of mangrove and vegetation analysis. Secondary data included a literature study of mangrove identification and Sentinel-2A satellite imagery. Data processing was carried out through a series of processes, ranging from image classification, image accuracy test, land cover analysis, normality test, correlation test, to validation tests.

Results

The results of this study showed that the area of mangrove forests on the east coast of North Sumatra reached 42,074.52 hectares with an average carbon storage of 42.98 tons per hectare. The best vegetation index model in predicting biomass and carbon of mangrove forests is the NDVI exponential M-3 model with the equation Y = 3,175 EXP7,100 NDVI. This model has a coefficient of determination of 78%, aggregate deviation of 0.07, an average deviation of 0.35, bias 0.17, and root mean square error 11.46.

Discussion

The results of this study provide important information about the potential storage of mangrove forest carbon in the east coast of North Sumatra. The estimated carbon stock of 42.98 tons per hectare is significantly higher than the global average of 20-30 tons per hectare. This suggests that mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra have a high potential for carbon sequestration and storage.

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive estimate of the mangrove forest carbon stock using Sentinel-2A imagery in the east coastal region of North Sumatra. The results of this study can be used as a basis for developing a more effective conservation and management of mangrove forests. By understanding the potential for carbon storage and maximizing the role of mangrove ecosystems in absorbing carbon, we can contribute to climate change mitigation efforts and maintain environmental sustainability.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Conservation and management of mangrove forests: The results of this study highlight the importance of conserving and managing mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra. This can be achieved through a combination of protection and restoration efforts, including the establishment of protected areas and the restoration of degraded mangrove forests.
Carbon sequestration and storage: The high potential for carbon sequestration and storage in mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra suggests that these ecosystems can play a significant role in mitigating climate change. This can be achieved through the implementation of sustainable forest management practices and the promotion of carbon sequestration and storage in mangrove forests.
Research and monitoring: Further research and monitoring are needed to understand the dynamics of mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra and to develop effective conservation and management strategies. This can include the use of remote sensing and GIS technologies to monitor changes in mangrove forest cover and carbon stock.

Limitations

This study has several limitations that should be noted. Firstly, the study only focused on the east coast of North Sumatra and did not include other regions in the province. Secondly, the study only used Sentinel-2A imagery and did not include other remote sensing data sources. Finally, the study only estimated the carbon stock of mangrove forests and did not include other ecosystem services provided by these ecosystems.

Future Research Directions

This study provides a comprehensive estimate of the mangrove forest carbon stock using Sentinel-2A imagery in the east coastal region of North Sumatra. However, there are several areas that require further research and investigation. These include:

Carbon sequestration and storage: Further research is needed to understand the dynamics of carbon sequestration and storage in mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra.
Ecosystem services: Further research is needed to understand the range of ecosystem services provided by mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra.
Conservation and management: Further research is needed to develop effective conservation and management strategies for mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra.

Conclusion

Q: What is the significance of mangrove forests in mitigating climate change?

A: Mangrove forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change due to their ability to absorb and store carbon in the long term. They are highly productive ecosystems, with high rates of primary production and carbon sequestration.

Q: What is the estimated carbon stock of mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra?

A: The estimated carbon stock of mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra is 42.98 tons per hectare, which is significantly higher than the global average of 20-30 tons per hectare.

Q: What is the best vegetation index model in predicting biomass and carbon of mangrove forests?

A: The best vegetation index model in predicting biomass and carbon of mangrove forests is the NDVI exponential M-3 model with the equation Y = 3,175 EXP7,100 NDVI.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations that should be noted. Firstly, the study only focused on the east coast of North Sumatra and did not include other regions in the province. Secondly, the study only used Sentinel-2A imagery and did not include other remote sensing data sources. Finally, the study only estimated the carbon stock of mangrove forests and did not include other ecosystem services provided by these ecosystems.

Q: What are the recommendations for conservation and management of mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra?

A: The recommendations for conservation and management of mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra include:

Conservation and management of mangrove forests: The results of this study highlight the importance of conserving and managing mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra. This can be achieved through a combination of protection and restoration efforts, including the establishment of protected areas and the restoration of degraded mangrove forests.
Carbon sequestration and storage: The high potential for carbon sequestration and storage in mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra suggests that these ecosystems can play a significant role in mitigating climate change. This can be achieved through the implementation of sustainable forest management practices and the promotion of carbon sequestration and storage in mangrove forests.
Research and monitoring: Further research and monitoring are needed to understand the dynamics of mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra and to develop effective conservation and management strategies. This can include the use of remote sensing and GIS technologies to monitor changes in mangrove forest cover and carbon stock.

Q: What are the future research directions for mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra?

A: The future research directions for mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra include:

Carbon sequestration and storage: Further research is needed to understand the dynamics of carbon sequestration and storage in mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra.
Ecosystem services: Further research is needed to understand the range of ecosystem services provided by mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra.
Conservation and management: Further research is needed to develop effective conservation and management strategies for mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra.

Q: What are the implications of this study for climate change mitigation efforts?

A: The results of this study highlight the importance of conserving and managing mangrove forests in the east coast of North Sumatra and suggest that these ecosystems can play a significant role in mitigating climate change. By understanding the potential for carbon storage and maximizing the role of mangrove ecosystems in absorbing carbon, we can contribute to climate change mitigation efforts and maintain environmental sustainability.