Spatiotemporal dynamics of mangrove forest and association with strandings of Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus) calves in Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract

AbstractEstuaries in Brazil are highly threatened environments and habitat loss is the main influential factor for the increase in the number of strandings of Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus) calves in the north-eastern region of the country. The aim of the present study was to analyse and quantify the spatiotemporal dynamics of mangroves in the state of Paraíba and the association with manatee calf stranding events. The study area encompassed 10 remaining mangroves along the coast of the state, four of which were located within protected areas. Information on the mangrove forests was obtained from satellite images from the last four decades. Data on stranded Antillean manatee calves were obtained from a databank with records from 1980 to 2019. The data were analysed using geoprocessing techniques and statistical analyses. The results demonstrated changes in the mangrove forest over time, with larger areas existing during the 1980s, reductions in the following periods but a slight increase in the last decade. The number of stranded Antillean manatee calves increased over the years, with stranding events concentrated mainly on the northern coast of the state. The smallest number of stranding events occurred in the 1980s, when the mangrove forests were larger. Our findings confirm that the integrity of mangroves is of extreme importance to the maintenance and sustainability of Antillean manatee populations.