Evaluation of Southeast Asia mangrove forest deforestation using longterm remote sensing index datasets

The mangrove forests of Southeast Asia are highly biodiverse and provide multiple ecosystem services upon which millions of people depend but across Southeast Asia, mangrove forests continued to be lost at an average rate of 0.18% per year and converted to alternative land uses. The previous studies have identified the rate and drivers of mangrove deforestation in Southeast Asia. The conversion of land uses are ultimately tied to the vegetation index. The proportional fluctuations of the satellite-derived index datasets (normalized difference vegetation index) to the rate and drivers has not been systematically evaluated, particularly in recent years. The conversion types and satellite-derived vegetation indices from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) provided an opportunity to study the correlation between vegetation indices respond to the conversion of land uses of mangrove deforestation over 2000-2012. Results showed that indices were highly dependent on land uses conversion. Sites converted by relatively aquaculture had decreased of NDVI (r²~ 0.3215). Sites converted by relatively palm oil had decreased of the NDVI (r²~0.1291). Site converted by the other driver had decreased of the NDVI (r²~0.0122). Site converted by relatively mangrove had increased of the NDVI (r²~ 0.0821). The evaluation of the indices will improve the capability of satellite remote sensing mangrove deforestation monitoring.