Abstract
Abstract. Mangroves are important for survival of coastal communities as they provide ecosystem services that support coastal population and their livelihoods. Most coastal communities largely depend on ecosystem services provided by mangroves such as fuel wood, building poles, charcoal, and also mangroves provide spawning ground for coastal fishes. Most importantly mangroves act as a buffer that protects coastal communities from natural hazards such as tropical storms, strong winds, beach erosion, and even tsunami. Despite the important role that mangroves play, yet mangroves are under serious threat to extinction worldwide. Many mangrove-rich developing countries, including Tanzania, are facing challenges in establishing effective management plans to protect increasingly threatened mangrove ecosystems. Most of these challenges are associated with inadequate or nonexistent of up-to-date and accurate geospatial information. Knowledge on extent and spatial distribution of mangroves is critical in planning and effective management of mangroves. The aim of this study was to assess the spatial and temporal distribution of mangroves in Mafia Island using remotely sensed data for three decades (1985–2013). Results revealed a decrease of mangroves from 3,708.36 ha in 1985 to 3,187.25 ha in 2013. From the spatiotemporal dimension point of view, the results show that overall mangroves in Mafia Island have been gradually decreasing over time. This trend suggests a decline rate of about 14 % for the period of 28 years, which is an average rate of 0.5 % per year. This rate of mangrove loss should not be underestimated; effective protection measures and sustainable utilization of mangrove resources are needed.
Highlights
Mangroves are important for survival of coastal communities as they provide ecosystem services that support coastal population and their livelihoods
Most importantly mangroves act as a buffer that protects coastal communities from natural hazards (Chen et al 2013) such as tropical storms, strong winds, beach erosion, and even tsunami (Spalding et al 2014, Mchenga and Ali 2015)
The spatial information generated in this study may help the decision making processes for rehabilitation and conservation efforts that are currently needed to protect and restore the depleted mangroves in the Island
Summary
Mangroves are important for survival of coastal communities as they provide ecosystem services that support coastal population and their livelihoods. Most coastal communities depend heavily on ecosystem services provided by mangroves. It is estimated that about 35% of mangroves has been lost from 1980 to 2000 (Giri et al 2011 and Kuenzer et al 2011). This rate is expected to increase, especially in developing countries due to anthropogenic pressures such as over-harvesting of mangroves for timber and fuel-wood production, aquaculture activities and salt-pond constructions (Kairo et al 2001). It is predicted that if the current rate of mangrove clearance continues worldwide, all mangroves could disappear in the 100 years (Duke et al 2007)
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