Simulating Mangroves Rehabilitation with Cellular Automata

A nation-wide concern for the sustainability of mangrove forests in Mekong Delta (Vietnam) is increasingly recognized. Unfortunately, overexploitation of natural resources, urbanization, deforestation, agriculture, aquaculture and many other threats have caused a severe reduction of mangrove cover. Mangrove forests significantly contribute to the provision of local ecosystems and the Delta's sustainability, although they cover a small proportion of the Delta's surface. Therefore, the rehabilitation of mangrove forests demands strong coordinated efforts in terms of policy and research. This study evaluates the potential for simulating mangroves rehabilitation via cellular automata, e.g. a discrete dynamical system, by characterizing several environmental factors. Two of the largest environmental effects causing the distribution of species in mangrove forests are leaf area index (LAI) and flood-tide. To the best of own research, the applied methodologies are one of the first endeavors that have been investigated in the literature. The research has been conducted at Ong Trang islet, Ca Mau province, Mekong Delta (Vietnam).