Using spatial data analysis for delineating existing mangroves stands and siting suitable locations for mangroves plantation

Abstract

Mangroves protect shorelines from waves and floods, help prevent coastal erosion by stabilizing sediments with their tangled root systems, serve as valuable nursery areas for fish and invertebrates. In addition, mangroves can play an important role in protecting the land from future seawater rise.Small mangrove stands are distributed along the Red Sea coast in Egypt as small patches, rarely exceed few square kilometers. These stands have been rapidly destroyed in recent years due to the rapid development tourist activities and old running problem of over grazing and using the trees as fuel.The current research aimed at delineating the existing mangroves stands within the area between El Quseir – Marsa Alam and finding the most suitable locations to plant mangroves trees. Sharm El-Bahari was found to be the healthiest mangroves stands in the area. By interpreting the satellite images and field survey the four environmental factors controlling the growing of mangroves: physical and chemical properties of seawater, soil properties and coastal geomorphology. These factors were measured at Sharm El-Bahari site and considered the best environmental boundaries suitable for mangroves growing in the study area. With these values in mind, the sites suitable for mangroves plantation were located where these environmental requirements were met. Six sites suitable for mangroves plantation were identified; these sites were ranked using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP).