The dynamics in the distribution of mangrove forests in Pichavaram,South India – perception by user community and remote sensing |
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| Authors: | Lakshmanan Gnanappazham Vaithyalingam Selvam |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Earth and Space Science , Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology , Trivandrum, 695 547, India gnanam@iist.ac.in;3. Coastal Systems Research, M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation , Taramani, Chennai, 600 113, India |
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| Abstract: | This study aims to monitor the forest cover of Pichavaram mangroves, South India over a period of 40 years using remote sensing, and to record the status of mangroves as perceived by the local community. Out of 1471 ha of total reserved forest area, mangroves occupy 906 ha. The remote sensing maps show that there was a loss of 471 ha from 1970 to 1991 and a gain of 531 ha in 2011. Nearby 20 hamlets depend on mangroves for their livelihood. A village survey conducted at Pichavaram shows that more than 90% of the local community is well aware of the prevailing species, their importance especially after the 2004 tsunami and the impact of management practices, increased rainfall and contribution of local community in the recent increased area of mangroves. The same can be noticed from the high-resolution IKONOS image showing the artificial canal network in the restored region and from rainfall records. |
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| Keywords: | mangroves remote sensing data geographic information system forest management restoration community perception |
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