13 - Measuring the vulnerability of coastal ecosystems in a densely populated west coast landscape, India: a remote sensing perspective

Abstract

The species composition and geospatial distribution of coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, mudflats, filtration ponds, backwaters, and so on and their associates in the southwest coast of India are studied through field mapping using high-precision GPS and incorporating information extracted from high-resolution world-view satellite images. Appropriate management strategies to protect and restore the mangrove and mudflat ecosystems under the provisions of Coastal Regulation Zone (2011) (INDIA) are discussed. The Kerala coast, located at the southwest peninsula of India, has one of the longest densely populated rural–urban agglomerated coastal plains in India. Being one of the highly populated states of India, its low-lying coastal areas (2.42% of its total geographical area) includes 8.25% of its total population, with an average coastal density of 2931/ km2. Kerala coastal plains were reported for 10 exclusive mangrove species: Avicennia officinalis, Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia alba, Acanthus ilicifolius, Excoecaria agallocha, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Lumnitzera racemosa, and Kandelia candel, Barringtonia are reported in the study area. Mangrove coverage in the Alappuzha district of Kerala is 1.43km2. Spread of mangroves in the two major urban centers, Kochi corporation, Maradu municipality, and adjoining Vembanad, is 0.48 and 0.40km2, respectively. Coverage of mangroves in Ashtamudi and a few other backwaters is 0.95km2. Reclamation and destruction of coastal ecosystems have been taking place on a large scale in the urban areas of Kochi corporation and Maradu municipality. Proper intervention through a sustainable management plan like the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification of India will address the issue of conserving the mangroves and associated eco-morphological systems.