Apar Mangrove Density Analysis, Pariaman City, West Sumatra

Abstract

Coastal areas are very vulnerable to climate change, especially due to rising sea levels that have a major effect on coastal ecosystems, including mangrove forests. Mangroves play an important ecological and economic role, but are degraded by various factors. Indonesia, which has the largest mangrove forest in the world, faces a significant decline in mangrove forest area every year, including in West Sumatra with a damage rate of 22.67%. In the city of Pariaman, which is directly opposite the Indian Ocean, there is a Mangrove Forest Park in Desa Apar that is important for the local ecosystem. This study aims to measure the density of mangroves in Apar Village using Landsat 8 satellite images and the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) method. The results of the analysis showed that out of a total of 10 hectares of mangrove area, 8.88 ha had a very high density, 0.55 ha had a high density, and 0.11 ha had a medium density. This data is important for the planning of mangrove protection policies and rehabilitation strategies, as well as supporting the development of sustainable ecotourism in the region. The use of technologies such as ArcGIS in NDVI analysis enables accurate vegetation monitoring, providing a solid foundation for effective mangrove management and conservation.