Multitemporal analysis of mangrove coverage in the Miskito Cays Reserve

Abstract

This study has analyzed the change in mangrove coverage from Miskitus Cays Reserve due to the effects of Félix Hurricane, 5 category according to the Saffir-Simpson scale, which impacted on the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua in 2007, by digital image analysis of Landsat satellites for 2006, 2012 and 2017. Recent conditions and trends of change were evaluated, estimating a reduction of approximately 1,783.2 hectares of mangrove forest for the period. Coverage changes were analyzed with landscape metrics estimated from the mangrove coverage maps generated for each date. The results indicate an increase in the number of patches and a reduction in the size of the forest masses of the islands and cays set, as well as variations in the partition index values, which indicate a fragmented coverage. From the 2017 results, the impact on the mangrove spatial patterns product of the hurricane was evaluated. At the level of islets and cays, it was found that the greatest impact on the mangrove was observed on the main island of the Miskitus Cays, where the coverage was reduced by 1762 hectares, also presenting values ​​of landscape metrics that indicate an increase in fragmentation processes.