Cloud-Based Monitoring and Evaluation of the Spatial-Temporal Distribution of Southeast Asia’s Mangroves Using Deep Learning

Abstract

This paper proposes a cloud-based mangrove monitoring framework that uses Google Collaboratory and Google Earth Engine to classify mangroves in Southeast Asia (SEA) using satellite remote sensing imagery (SRSI). Three multi-class classification convolutional neural network (CNN) models were generated, showing F1-score values as high as 0.9 in only six epochs of training. Mangrove forests are tropical and subtropical environments that provide essential ecosystem services to local biota and coastal communities and are considered the most efficient vegetative carbon stock globally. Despite their importance, mangrove forest cover continues to decline worldwide, especially in SEA. Scientists have produced monitoring tools based on SRSI and CNNs to identify deforestation hotspots and drive targeted interventions. Nevertheless, although CNNs excel in distinguishing between different landcover types, their greatest limitation remains the need for significant computing power to operate. This may not always be feasible, especially in developing countries. The proposed framework is believed to provide a robust, low-cost, cloud-based, near-real-time monitoring tool that could serve governments, environmental agencies, and researchers, to help map mangroves in SEA.