The Role of Remote Sensing and GIS for Locating Suitable Mangrove Plantation Sites along the Southern Saudi Arabian Red Sea Coast

Abstract

This paper investigated a methodology for locating suitable sites for establishing mangrove plantations along the south Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast based on Geological characteristics, geomorphology and discharge of drainage effluents as primary sitting criteria. Remote sensing Satellite imagery and digital elevation models were interpreted to determine most of the parameters, the rest were measured in field. In the study, it was found that some healthy mangrove stands now exist along the Red Sea coast near the city of Jizan although many stands have been destroyed in recent years due to rapid development, infilling and over-grazing and use of the mangroves as fuel. Remote sensing satellite imagery was used to map exiting Mangrove stands of different densities along the study area. The study determined that mangrove stands are primarily concentrated in the southern part of the study area and that they are sparsely found northward. Interpretation of A Landsat Thematic Mapper panchromatic band image and DEM showing that red sea coast along the study area are mainly covered by fans of ten drainage basins where the Flood potentiality of these basins was determined. The study was able to determine that three areas, which have a moderate to low flash flood potential, have the necessary environmental elements necessary to support mangroves. One, in particular, would be the best site to establish a mangrove plantation project.