Shoreline protection analysis and mangrove cover mapping using remote sensing in Papua New Guinea

Brief

The main objective of this project is to develop an up-to-date map of the mangrove extent by analyzing the coastline around Papua New Guinea's Barak au Village. This study used a mixture of remote sensing techniques such as drone surveys, satellite imagery, and GNSS-derived field data, which allowed vegetation mapping and monitoring with posterior processing through photogram engines. Ecoresolve collected and processed these images to provide recommendations for immediate conservation management deployment.

Specific goals

Ecoresolve generated a comprehensive analysis that aims:

• To develop a methodology for extracting and generating accurate mangrove mapping and zonal-derived data.
• To consolidate an up-to-date map of mangrove extent in PapuaNew Guinea's Barak au Village.
• To provide well-grounded recommendations for conservation management deployment based on analyzed species, shoreline and mangrove extent changes, and land evolution.

Execution

A three-stage process of data collection preparation, data collection, and data analysis was used in this study. Planning travel and logistics, drone testing and implementation plans were essential for the collection preparation stage, followed by the collection itself focused on the Barak au coastal area. The analysis led to mangrove identification, coastline features, land use exploration, and extent overview through an advanced data fusion technique to achieve higher precision in how mangrove populations evolve over time.

Impact & Results

Given the results including a decline in local mangrove population with reduced biodiversity, undetermined hydrologic changes, and dynamic soil and surface water salinity, Ecoresolve will raise local awareness for coastal challenges and shoreline protection, extend and support similar initiatives on lifelike Pacific island regions and establish conservation and reforestation efforts with an ongoing framework for mangrovemonitoring to predict/prevent negative impacts on coastal and mangrove habitats.