Estimation of the Temporal Change in Carbon Stock of Muthupet Mangroves in Tamil Nadu Using Remote Sensing Techniques

Abstract

Aim: To study the carbon storage potential of Muthupet mangroves in Tamil Nadu using Remote sensing techniques. Place and Duration: The study is carried out in Muthupet Mangroves for the years 2000, 2010 and 2017. Methodology: In this study the remote sensing images were processed using the ERDAS and ArcGIS software and the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) has also been applied to estimate the quantity of carbon sequestration capability for the Avicennia marina mangrove growing in the Muthupet region for the period 2000-2017. The formula proposed by Lai [10] was used to calculate the carbon stock using geospatial techniques. Results: The results show that the mangroves in Muthupet region has NDVI values between -0.671 and 0.398 in 2000, -0.93 and 0.621 in 2010 and -0.66 and 0.398 in 2017. The observation indicates the reliability and validity of the aviation remote sensing with high resolution and with near red spectrum experimented in this research for estimating the the Avicennia marina (Forsk.) mangrove growing in this region. The estimated quantity of carbon di oxide sequestrated by the mangrove was about 1475.642 Mg/Ha in 2000, 3646.312 Mg/Ha in 2010 and 1677.72 Mg/Ha in 2017. Conclusion: The capacity of the Avicennia marina growing in Muthupet region to sequestrate carbon show that it has a great potential for development and implementation. The results obtained in this research can be used as a basis for policy makers, conservationists, regional planners, and researchers to deal with future development of cities and their surroundings in regions of highly ecological and environmental sensitivity. Thus the finding shows that wetlands are an important ecological boon as it helps to control the impact of climate change in many different ways.