Satellite-Based Assessment of the Extent and Changes in the Mangrove Ecosystem of the Niger Delta

Abstract

This study was carried out with the primary aim of understanding how the mangrove ecosystem in the Niger Delta has been altered recently. Specifically, we determined the spatial extent of the mangrove forest in the Niger Delta using remotely sensed satellite data and estimated changes in the spatial extent of the forest from the mid-1980s through 2003. Overall, about 21,340 hectares of Mangrove forest was lost over the study period. Fieldwork confirmed that these losses were primarily due to urbanization, dredging activities, activities of the oil and gas industries, and the spread of Nypa Palm (Nypa frutican) plant species.

Keywords:

• Mangrove vegetation
• unsupervised image classification
• Niger Delta
• land use/land cover

Acknowledgement

The field research for this study was funded by the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Abuja.