Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Mangrove Ecosystems and Hydrological Regimes in Coastal Guyana Using Remote Sensing

Hamer, E.; Oyedotun, T.D.T.; Charles, E., and Moonsammy, S., 2024. Spatio-temporal analysis of mangrove ecosystems and hydrological regimes in coastal Guyana using remote sensing. In: Phillips, M.R.; Al-Naemi, S., and Duarte, C.M. (eds.), Coastlines under Global Change: Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2024 (Doha, Qatar). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 113, pp. 544-548. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208 Mangrove ecosystems play a pivotal role in providing essential ecosystem services such as; coastal protection/sea defence, a hub for biodiversity, carbon capture and storage, agriculture (fisheries) and livelihood adaptation. This research investigates the dynamics between Guyana's coastal hydrological regime and mangrove vegetation with the use of advanced data analytical models and remote sensing techniques. Utilising the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, we monitored the spatio-temporal dynamics of mangrove ecosystems along Guyana's coast from 2013 to 2022. We analyse the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities on the relationship between mangroves and coastal hydrodynamics. In this study, we developed a coupling coordination model that enables a quantitative assessment of the relationship between hydrological variations and mangrove vegetation loss/restoration. The application of this developed model enhances the understanding of the primary drivers of vegetation changes and facilitates the formulation of effective ecosystem management strategies. The findings of this research extend beyond understanding long-term ecological changes in coastal mangrove ecosystems but also inform the practical interventions for both restorative and conservation efforts in mangrove ecosystems for Guyana and similar coastal zones regionally and globally.