Changes in Land Cover in Cacheu River Mangroves Natural Park, Guinea-Bissau: The Need for a More Sustainable Management

• Published in: Sustainability 2019-11, Vol.11 (22), p.6247
• Main Authors: García del Toro, Eva M., Más-López, María Isabel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Forests; Land cover; Land use; Mangrove swamps; Mangroves; Normalized difference vegetative index; Rivers; Savannahs; Sustainability; Sustainability management; Swamps; Vegetation; Vegetation type
• ISSN: 2071-1050; 2071-1050
• DOI: 10.3390/su11226247

The aim of this paper is to study the evolution of vegetation and potential changes in land use in the Cacheu River Mangroves Natural Park in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. To do this, we will study variations in the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). In order to perform the calculations and subsequent analysis, images of the park from the years 2010 and 2017, corresponding to the same period of the year, so that the phenological stage is the same, were used. To perform a more reliable analysis, the park was divided into five different areas based upon the vegetation type or main use of the land in each of them; i.e.: mangals, palm forest, paddies, savannahs and others. Using a statistical sample, the NDVIs were calculated for each of these areas. The study made it possible to conclude that the changes in land cover observed represent a decrease in mangrove swamps, which are probably being replaced by other land uses, despite the fact that these forests constitute the most important ecological area of all those that make up the park. The park will therefore benefit from a more sustainable management.