Mangrove Forest Cover Decreases in Indonesia Due to Human and Natural Factors

Strategic Insights -

A new study conducted by researchers from the Beijing Forestry University has shed light on the drivers and effects of mangrove forest cover change in Kubu Raya District, Indonesia. The research, which analyzed satellite imagery from 1993 to 2023, found a significant decrease in mangrove forest cover, with an average loss of 3.25 km2 per year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study used satellite imagery from the USGS Earth Explorer to analyze mangrove forest cover change in Kubu Raya District, Indonesia, over the last 30 years.
  • The research found that mangrove forest cover decreased from 1,011.37 km2 in 1993 to 964.37 km2 in 2023, with an average loss of 3.25 km2 per year.
  • The study identified social and natural variables, including population density, education, land access, and rainfall, as drivers of mangrove forest cover change.
  • The research found that social factors, such as population density and education, have a positive relationship with mangrove forest cover, while natural factors, such as alluvial soil types, have a positive relationship with mangrove forest cover.
  • The study concluded that conservation efforts must consider the changes and spatial dynamics of mangrove ecosystems to effectively protect them in the future.

Statistics:

  • Mangrove forest cover decreased from 1,011.37 km2 in 1993 to 964.37 km2 in 2023.
  • The average loss of mangrove forest cover per year is 3.25 km2.
  • The study analyzed 30 years of satellite imagery data from the USGS Earth Explorer.
  • The research identified 10,624 mangrove forest patches in the study area.
  • The study found that 73.4% of mangrove forest patches are located along the coast, while 26.6% are located inland.

Sources:

  • Rinto Wiarta, Forest Management, School of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
  • Rato Firdaus Silamon, Mohammed Ishag Arbab, Muhammad Tariq Badshah, Umer Hayat, Jinghui Meng.
  • Assessing of driving factors and change detection of mangrove forest in Kubu Raya District, Indonesia. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 2025,8. (Frontiers in Forests and Global Change - https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/forests-and-global-change#).