Mapping and monitoring of mangrove species in Eastern Lagoon National Park, Abu Dhabi, using Landsat 8 OLI data

Mangrove species are shrubs and trees that are ecologically efficient and salt tolerant, predominantly grow in the intertidal region where land and ocean meet. These protects the shoreline from erosion, natural calamities, and climate change. Mapping, monitoring, and assessment of mangrove species are important for the conservation, restoration, and protection purposes. Earth observation using remote sensing satellite data plays a vital role in mapping and monitoring land-surface features. Studying mangroves with remote sensing also helps to track seasonal changes and understand how these ecosystems work. In the present study Mangrove species in and around Eastern Lagoon National Park of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is mapped using the Multispectral Landsat 8 OLI data. It has been found that a large part of the area is covered by grey mangroves (i.e., Avicennia marina), including salt marshes. Vegetation indices like RVI, NDVI, SAVI, AVI, and CMRI are derived for mapping and health assessment to categorize mangrove species in high, medium, and low phenology activity, and found the maximum productivity was attained during March 2020 (0 to 366 days). Multispectral reflectance spectra of homogenous units were also collected and classified. For the first time, the satellite-based phenological information has been derived in the region using Landsat 8 OLI data, which will help in understanding biodiversity, climate change impacts, and human activities, and enabling decision-makers for the protection and sustainable use of these valuable coastal ecosystems.