Classification and distribution of mangrove forests using aerial photograph and satellite remote sensing techniques

Abstract

Classifying mangrove vegetation zones is important as they can be used to explain, among others, the variable composition of invertebrate and fish communities inside mangroves. In this study, the mangroves of the district of Kemaman were classified using aerial photograph with a scale of 1:5000 and Landsat TM imagery (30m x 30m). The aerial photographs covered the coastal and estuarine areas only, while the Landsat TM image was used to analyse areas further inland not covered by the aerial photographs. Result revealed that altogether there are fourteen different mangrove forest types in the district of Kemaman. The total extent of mangrove forests is about 1472 ha. Of the total, about 738 ha (50.1%) are mangrove forest reserve while the remaining 734 ha (49.9%) are stateland mangrove forests.