Remote sensing techniques for mangrove mapping

Different approaches to the classification of remotely sensed data of mangroves are reviewed, and five different methodologies identified. Landsat TM, SPOT XS and CASI data of mangroves from the Turks and Caicos Islands, were classified using each method. All classifications of SPOT XS data failed to discriminate satisfactorily between mangrove and non-mangrove vegetation. Classification accuracy of CASI data was higher than Landsat TM for all methods, and more mangrove classes could be discriminated. Merging Landsat TM and SPOT XP data improved visual interpretation of images, but did not enhance discrimination of different mangrove categories. The most accurate combination of sensor and image processing method for mapping the mangroves of the eastern Caribbean islands is identified.