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With a focus on the Sundarbans, this study uses remote sensing methods to thoroughly evaluate the dynamics of mangrove forest change and the ensuing environmental effects from 2004 to 2022. Through a thorough time-series analysis, the research reveals the temporal fluctuations in forest cover by utilizing Vegetation Indices and Land Use and Land Cover analysis. The deep significance of these shifts in forest cover is illuminated by the association with specific environmental conditions. The study's conclusions show a concerning trend in the Sundarbans Forest Cover, with a steady reduction occurring at an average annual rate of 2.66%. The study period's sustained decline in mangrove cover highlights the continuous and growing danger to this vital ecosystem. Concurrently, the study notes a concerning increase in urban areas, mostly linked to fishing and sawmills. This indicates that human activity is a major factor in the destruction of the Sundarbans, highlighting the pressing need for focused conservation efforts. The study uses forecasts and simulations to anticipate trends in changes in forest cover up to 2030, extending its investigation beyond the observed timeframe. These forecasts demonstrate geographical differences in the distribution of these changes in addition to confirming the continuance of the downward trend. The need for proactive conservation initiatives is highlighted by the simulations' ability to provide vital foresight in addressing the long-term implications of mangrove destruction. The relationship between changes in forest cover and the ecosystem as a whole is illustrated by correlation analysis with a few chosen environmental indicators, such as precipitation, soil moisture, land surface temperature (LST), and CO2 emissions. This association provides important information for comprehending the wider ecological ramifications of these changes by highlighting the extensive effects of mangrove destruction on important environmental variables. Lagged correlation analysis, which explores the temporal dynamics of the relationship between forest changes and environmental data, is a noteworthy feature of the study. This analysis shows that the effects of deforestation eventually overwhelm the ecosystem, even in the face of initial resistance. The lagged correlation highlights the necessity of taking time lags into account in order to fully comprehend the range of environmental repercussions, as well as the delayed but significant effects of mangrove deforestation on the surrounding ecology. Both mangrove forests and the larger planetary environment will suffer from the predicted trends this study presents. A cycle of diminishing vegetation vigour is set off by the continuous loss of forest cover, which exacerbates environmental harm. This study's methodology is useful for evaluating and tracking ecosystem changes because it can be applied to many kinds of forests. The researchers do concede that on-site observations could yield better results, noting that direct, ground-level evaluations should be conducted in addition to remote sensing data for increased comprehensiveness and accuracy. The results highlight the critical need for conservation initiatives and sustainable land-use policies in order to lessen the growing risks to mangrove ecosystems and their priceless roles in maintaining biodiversity around the world and regulating climate change.
Saoum et al. (Thu,) studied this question.