Mapping for Conservation of Endangered Mangrove Excoecariaagallocha (L.) From South Gujarat Coast, India, Using Irs-Liss III Satellite Remote Sensing Data

Remote Sensing data because of its, repetitive, synoptic and multispectral nature, has proven to be of immense value in monitoring of coastal vegetation. Indian Remote Sensing satellite (IRS) data have been extensively used to map mangroves at density level and other coastal vegetation in India. Using high resolution IRS LISS IV and LISS III data with spatial resolution of 5.8m and 23m respectively, Indian mangroves are mapped at dominant community level. Gujarat coast, ranked as second largest mangroves area, is also being mapped. Mangroves in Gujarat heavily colonize, the Gulf, Indus delta and along rivers and creeks. Varoli River located in South Gujarat has high diversity of mangroves (Avicennia marina (L.), Avicennia officinalis (L.), Acanthus illicifolius (L.), Sonneratia apetala (Buch.-Ham.), Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) and Excoecaria agallocha). IRS LISS3 data has been used to classify the communities by employing supervised classification technique and the scene was supplemented with field surveys carried out during February 2007 for community mapping. Study concludes that the forest area of Teramura Faliyu, Khatlwada village, Valsad district, of South Gujarat (20°12 ’46. 01N latitude 72° 46 ’59. 5E longitudes) showed the presence of mangrove species Excoecaria agallocha (L.).