Evaluation of the critical level of mangrove ecosystems using Spatial Technology in East Aceh Coastal Areas

Abstract

Coastal zones are areas that are vulnerable to ecological damage. One type of ecosystem that is vulnerable to damage in coastal zones is mangroves. The coastal area of East Aceh is one of the areas where the existence of mangrove ecosystems has a high level of criticality. The level of criticality of mangroves in the area is caused by various factors such as exploitation of natural resources, physical development such as residential areas, and conversion of land to other designation areas without considering to the sustainability of mangrove ecosystems. By utilization of Landsat 8 and Bing Map Imagery satellite image data using the concept of geographic information systems, the extent of mangrove forest and its critical level can be inventoried. Determination of the critical level of mangrove forests was carried out by referring to the mangrove inventory guidelines issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry in 2005. The results of data processing showed that the critical level of mangrove forests reached 4,200.02 hectares in severely damaged conditions, 7,286.93 hectares in damaged condition, and 9.704, 01 hectares are not damaged. Based on these results, forest management efforts are needed through the method of rehabilitating mangrove forests toimprove the condition of heavily damaged mangrove forests.