Mangrove forest cover change in the conterminous United States from 1980-2020
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Mangrove forests in both developed and developing countries are experiencing substantial transformations driven by natural and anthropogenic factors. This study focuses on the conterminous United States, including Florida, Texas, and Louisiana, where coastal development, urbanization, hydrological pattern alterations, global warming, sea level rise, and natural disasters such as hurricanes contribute to mangrove forest changes. Using remote sensing and image processing techniques, we analyzed the dynamics of mangrove ecosystems every five years from 1980 to 2020. Change analysis of the last 40 years of Landsat satellite observation reveals significant shifts in mangrove forest cover, indicating the vulnerability of these habitats to various environmental stressors. This research sheds light on the importance of monitoring and understanding mangrove forest dynamics to ensure the sustainable management and conservation of these critical ecosystems amid ongoing environmental changes. The results can aid policymakers and conservationists in developing targeted strategies for preserving the ecological and socio-economic value of mangrove forests in the conterminous United States.