USG matrix analysis and power interest to improve community environmental awareness: A case study of mangrove land cover to support community and environmental education

Abstract

This study employed a mixed-method approach to analyze the composition of mangrove forests. The transect method and remote sensing through supervised classification using Google Earth Engine (GEE) were utilized to assess changes in mangrove areas in 2017, 2019, and 2021. The findings suggest that this study should be included in population and environmental education courses. The results revealed that Avicennia marina mangroves had the highest importance index (INP) values at three different locations. Between 2017 and 2019, mangrove areas decreased from 30.62 hectares to 27.98 hectares. However, from 2019 to 2021, the mangrove area increased from 27.98 hectares to 29.18 hectares, largely due to reforestation efforts in the Pulau Dua Nature Reserve. The NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) values indicated "bushy" criteria, ranging from 0.43 to 1.00. The Normalized Difference Mangrove Index (NDMI) values fell into the "Rare" (-1.00 to 0.32) and "Medium" (0.33 to 0.43) categories. The Urgency, Seriousness, and Growth (USG) matrix analysis and Power Interest assessment identified illegal logging, erosion, and waste as significant causes of mangrove decline. Stakeholders, including village chiefs, religious leaders, traditional leaders, and youth leaders, must focus on preserving the mangrove ecosystem in the CAPD. The study's results are vital for educational purposes, particularly in population and environmental education courses. These courses should address environmental issues, prevention strategies, and conservation activities, which can be integrated into the curriculum. This will enable youth to contribute effectively to environmental awareness programs.