An investigation into the protection of tropical and sub-tropical coastlines by mangroves using remote sensing.

摘要

Tropical storm surges and tsunamis have impacted societies throughout human history and claimed many lives. However, impacts of natural disasters peaked in modern society when (during a period of 4 months) more than a quarter of a million people died as a result of Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne in the Caribbean and the Indonesian tsunami. It was suggested that mangrove swamps provided protection to communities and villages. However, these studies have been met with a certain criticism and more scientific evidence is needed to back the view that these natural coastal ecosystems provide protection. The present study uses remote sensing in combination with ground-based fieldwork to highlight the respective natural (e.g. hurricanes) and anthropogenic (e.g. channel systems and land clearance/claiming) impacts on mangrove ecosystems and the human populations in the Cayman Islands. A comparison is being conducted between 1992 and 12 years later when the Cayman Islands were hit by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. The presentation concludes with a summary of the long-term effects of the natural and anthropogenic impacts on the mangroves of the Cayman Islands.