Assessing Mangrove Ecosystem Health and Identifying Optimal Planting Regions Using Remote Sensing and GIS in the UAE

Abstract. Mangrove forests play a critical role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity preservation, and coastal resilience, making their conservation and restoration essential in climate change mitigation. This study uses traditional field evaluations and remote sensing and geoinformatics (GIS) methods to examine how mangrove ecosystems in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have changed over time and space. We used Landsat satellite data from 2001 to 2024 and a set of vegetation indices, including SMRI, NDVI, GNDVI, EVI, and NDCI, to examine spatial patterns in biomass distribution, vegetation density, and overall ecosystem health. CO₂ sequestration is a bit more climate-impact resilient. Even though the findings from the spatial images indicate a slight decline in healthy mangrove coverage alongside increased shrub growth, primarily driven by climate change impacts. So, spatially identified areas were considered vegetative plantations to be recovered and grown, with potential biomass, to avoid future CO₂ impacts. Some coastal zones still show lower vegetation density and limited carbon uptake potential. Future efforts should prioritize replanting and rehabilitation in these sparse or degraded areas, particularly in the southern and inland tidal zones where vegetation loss was detected. These results highlight the need for targeted conservation strategies to counter the degradation of mangrove ecosystems.
In addition to evaluating ecosystem health, this study employs computational GIS techniques to identify optimal locations for mangrove restoration. By leveraging spatial modelling, we pinpoint potential vegetative planting sites that maximize carbon sequestration stability, enhance biodiversity, and improve coastal protection in the UAE region. This data-driven approach ensures the effectiveness of reforestation initiatives, addressing gaps in mangrove coverage while contributing to the UAE’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050. The research provides policymakers and environmental managers with a robust decision-making framework. It also shows how important GIS-based methods are for planning and managing ecosystems sustainably. Moreover, the methodology can be replicated and adapted across other regions, offering a time- and cost-efficient solution for large-scale ecosystem restoration and climate action.