2. Monitoring Spatial and Temporal Distribution, Pattern, and Trend Prediction of Coastal Mangroves in Pakistan Using Geospatial Techniques

This chapter focused on monitoring spatial and temporal distribution patterns and trend prediction of mangroves along the coastal belt of Pakistan using geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) approaches. Mangroves are considered significant for the ecology, environment, and livelihood of coastal communities and have high biological productivity. In Pakistan, mangroves are reported from the coastal belt of Baluchistan and Sindh provinces. Therefore, this chapter describes the spatial and temporal distribution pattern and trend prediction of coastal mangroves in Pakistan. To monitor spatial patterns of change in mangroves, Landsat temporal satellite data were used. The temporal Landsat data for the years 2020, 2011, 2001, 1991, and 1986 were acquired, and the NDVI-based classification technique was applied to demarcate mangroves. Besides, supervised classification with a maximum likelihood algorithm was used to identify the spatiotemporal patterns of mangroves. The analysis revealed a gradual increase of mangroves, i.e., from 48,331 ha in 1986, which increased to 55,621 ha in 1991, and further expanded to 79,254 ha (2001), 107,443 ha (2011), and 143,930 ha in 2020. Parallel to this, microlevel analysis at Indus Delta, Sandspit, Sonmiani, and Kalmat Khor was also carried out to validate the macrolevel results. It was found from the analysis that the gradual increase in area under mangroves is attributed to conservation strategies, sustainable regeneration, and initiation of afforestation projects by various departments, authorities, and organizations.