Monitoring Mangrove Forest Degradation in the Sunderban Region of India using Remote Sensing Techniques: Implications for CO 2 Absorption and Surface Energy Balance from 2000-2020

Abstract

Abstract The study uses novel remote sensing approach for understanding the changes in mangrove forest of Sunderban region of India. The study tried to estimate the changes in carbon emissions using GIS and remote sensing. The study quantifies the changes in different heat fluxes of surface energy balance i.e., net radiations, ground heat flux, latent heat flux. Unavailability of real time atmospheric profile data is the major limitation of study. study presents an analysis of the changes in carbon emissions, energy fluxes, and land-use and land-cover (LULC) in the Sunderban forest from 2000 to 2020. The results show a significant loss of mangroves, which has led to a decline in carbon stocks and an increase in CO2 emissions. Changes in the energy fluxes, particularly the decrease in latent heat flux, were found to be associated with the reduction in the area under mangrove. The LULC analysis reveals changes in the surface temperature due to the reduction in vegetation cover, which has implications for the local and regional climate. The findings underscore the urgent need for conservation and restoration efforts to protect the vital ecosystem services provided by mangrove forests and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.