Assessment of the vulnerability of coastal mangrove ecosystems in Mozambique

Charrua, Alberto Bento; Bandeira, Salomão; Catarino, Sílvia; Cabral, Pedro; Romeiras, Maria M.

doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105145

Cited by 49 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…An intense tropical cyclone like Idai typically causes great defoliation, branch stripping, bole snapping and uprooting [70][71][72]. Other individual tree characteristics, such as less dense wood, poor health status, and growth in more exposed sites (e.g., coastal Sofala, as shown by Cabral et al [11] and Charrua et al [10]), contribute to increasing its vulnerability to cyclone-related damage [70,73].…”

Section: Effects Of Idai On Different Lulcmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of the Tropical Cyclone Idai in Mozambique: A Multi-Temporal Landsat Satellite Imagery Analysis

et al. 2021

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The Central Region of Mozambique (Sofala Province) bordering on the active cyclone area of the southwestern Indian Ocean has been particularly affected by climate hazards. The Cyclone Idai, which hit the region in March 2019 with strong winds causing extensive flooding and a massive loss of life, was the strongest recorded tropical cyclone in the Southern Hemisphere. The aim of this study was to use pre- and post-cyclone Idai Landsat satellite images to analyze temporal changes in Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) across the Sofala Province. Specifically, we aimed—(i) to quantify and map the changes in LULC between 2012 and 2019; (ii) to investigate the correlation between the distance to Idai’s trajectory and the degree of vegetation damage, and (iii) to determine the damage caused by Idai on different LULC. We used Landsat 7 and 8 images (with 30 m resolution) taken during the month of April for the 8-year period. The April Average Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) over the aforementioned period (2012–2018, pre-cyclone) was compared with the values of April 2019 (post-cyclone). The results showed a decreasing trend of the productivity (NDVI 0.5 to 0.8) and an abrupt decrease after the cyclone. The most devastated land use classes were dense vegetation (decreased by 59%), followed by wetland vegetation (−57%) and shrub land (−56%). The least damaged areas were barren land (−23%), barren vegetation (−27%), and grassland and dambos (−27%). The Northeastern, Central and Southern regions of Sofala were the most devastated areas. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient between the relative vegetation change activity after Idai (NDVI%) and the distance to Idai’s trajectory was 0.95 (R-square 0.91), suggesting a strong positive linear correlation. Our study also indicated that the LULC type (vegetation physiognomy) might have influenced the degree of LULC damage. This study provides new insights for the management and conservation of natural habitats threatened by climate hazards and human factors and might accelerate ongoing recovery processes in the Sofala Province.

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Section: Effects Of Idai On Different Lulcmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of the Tropical Cyclone Idai in Mozambique: A Multi-Temporal Landsat Satellite Imagery Analysis

et al. 2021

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“…On the other hand, positive impacts may arise as a result of climate change. For example, recent reports suggest that the swampy coast of central Mozambique is more prone to invasion by Avicennia marina in comparison to Rhizophora mucronata (Charrua et al., 2020). This indicates that spatial reorganization, including changes in ranges of mangroves, will occur and should be facilitated where possible (Saintilan et al., 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying global and local drivers of change in mangrove cover and the implications for management

Maina

Bosire

Kairo

et al. 2021

Global Ecol Biogeogr

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Background Climate change and human activities continue to drive a widespread decline in global mangrove coverage, undermining their capacity to provide ecosystem benefits. While global and local scale drivers of change on mangroves are widely acknowledged, the relative importance and the exposure of mangroves to climatic, geomorphological, and direct human threats vary spatially. Understanding the role and relative importance of the multiscale and multiple threats to mangroves and how these vary spatially is fundamental for formulating a spatially adaptive approach to their management and conservation. Aim Our study investigated the role of multiple threats on mangroves and the relative exposure. Location Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. Time period Recent past (2002–2019 and future (2050–2060). Major taxa studied Mangrove. Methods Using satellite‐derived indicators of mangrove condition aggregated over 19 years (2002 to 2019) and 14 proxies of climate, human activity, and geomorphology, we applied machine learning methods to determine the role and relative importance of the change drivers. Using outputs from this deductive statistical process, we applied inductive methods to map mangrove exposure spatially. Results Model results highlight the importance of catchment erosion, human pressure, sea level, and macroclimate as the main drivers of the present‐day ecological condition of mangroves in the WIO. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was more sensitive to the identified drivers than the vegetation condition index (VCI), with the relative importance of variables varying across the two vegetation indicators. Main conclusions In anticipation of a stronger manifestation of climate change impacts, the resilience of mangroves in the WIO could be improved through adaptive management over time and space. Testing the efficacy of the essential biodiversity variables (EBV) is critical for understanding the mechanisms of ecosystem change and managing biodiversity change.

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“…As demonstrated by Silver et al (2019), IE data can be used to guide investments in habitat restoration. Mangrove deforestation is widespread in Mozambique (Macamo et al 2016), and projects of environmental education to raise awareness about ecosystem services are needed to engage communities and stakeholders in conservation (Silver et al 2019;Charrua et al 2020). Mangroves require shelter from wave action to develop (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wagner 2004;Stewart and Fairfull 2008;McIvor et al 2012), and opportunities for habitat restoration may be limited in very exposed areas. A recent study shows high potential for mangrove development in the areas of Beira and Maputo (Charrua et al 2020), where nature-based solutions could increase coastal resilience benefiting large populations and the local and national economy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Assessment of Coastal Exposure and Social Vulnerability to Coastal Hazards in East Africa

Ballesteros

Esteves

2021

Estuaries and Coasts

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An index of vulnerability to coastal change, integrating indices of social vulnerability and exposure to coastal hazards, was created for East Africa to identify ‘areas of priority concern’ for risk reduction. Currently, 22% of East Africa’s coastline and 3.5 million people are at higher levels of exposure to coastal hazards, which would increase, respectively, to 39% and 6.9 million people if mangroves, coral reefs and seagrasses are lost. Madagascar and Mozambique show the largest proportion of the coastline at higher exposure, while Kenya and Tanzania benefit the most from natural coastal protection. Coral reefs protect 2.5 million people from higher exposure, mostly in Mombasa, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. Considering Mozambique, Kenya and Tanzania, the latter is the least, and the former is the most vulnerable. Under current conditions, 17 (out of 86) coastal districts are considered ‘areas of priority concern’; four of these are critically exposed as over 90% of their shoreline length are at higher exposure (Zavala, Inharrime, Manhiça and Mandlakaze, all in southern Mozambique). These locations are of critical concern for any present or future coastal development due to the high level of exposure posed to both vulnerable people and investments. Habitat loss would increase the number of ‘priority concern’ districts to 24; some would show great increase in the population exposed (e.g. Pemba and Mossuril in Mozambique). Applying this knowledge to identify where ecosystem-based management should be prioritised to promote social and environmental resilience is timely and urgent in East Africa.

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Assessment of the vulnerability of coastal mangrove ecosystems in Mozambique

Cited by 49 publications

References 76 publications

Impacts of the Tropical Cyclone Idai in Mozambique: A Multi-Temporal Landsat Satellite Imagery Analysis

Impacts of the Tropical Cyclone Idai in Mozambique: A Multi-Temporal Landsat Satellite Imagery Analysis

Identifying global and local drivers of change in mangrove cover and the implications for management

Integrated Assessment of Coastal Exposure and Social Vulnerability to Coastal Hazards in East Africa

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