Ecophysiological effects of mangrove canopy density on surface thermal conditions in a tropical lagoon ecosystem of Segara Anakan, Indonesia

Aryanto AEP, Herbowo ACF, Mukarromah AN, Aulia AD, Zulfikar AB, Pitoyo A, Setyawan AD. 2025. Ecophysiological effects of mangrove canopy density on surface thermal conditions in a tropical lagoon ecosystem of Segara Anakan, Indonesia. Cell Biol Dev 9: 12-25. Mangrove forests are ecologically critical coastal ecosystems that regulate local microclimates and buffer against multiple forms of environmental stress. This study investigates the influence of mangrove canopy density on surface thermal dynamics in the climate-sensitive Segara Anakan Lagoon, Cilacap, Indonesia, using satellite-derived indices. Vegetation density was quantified using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), while Land Surface Temperature (LST) was derived from Landsat 9 thermal imagery. Spatial overlay and statistical correlation of NDVI and LST were employed to delineate thermal stress zones—defined as areas where surface temperatures exceed physiological thresholds for mangrove growth. Results revealed a strong negative correlation between NDVI and LST (R² = 0.68; Pearson’s r = -0.82), indicating that denser vegetation corresponds with cooler surface conditions. Zones with NDVI>0.60 typically exhibited temperatures of 23-25°C, while areas with lower canopy density exceeded 25°C. Thermal hotspots were concentrated in southern and central Cilacap, where anthropogenic disturbance has reduced canopy continuity. These findings highlight the ecophysiological importance of maintaining mangrove canopy cover in mitigating thermal stress. The integration of NDVI-LST analysis provides a non-invasive, scalable tool for monitoring vegetation health, supporting targeted restoration, and informing climate adaptation strategies in tropical coastal landscapes.