Feasible Mangrove Monitoring Strategies for Remote Coastal Areas

Anran He

doi:10.64391/ijssat.v2i1.005

Authors

Anran He Department of Politics, Whitman College Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64391/ijssat.v2i1.005

Keywords:

community-based conservation, mangrove monitoring, Papua New Guinea, coastal resilience, remote sensing

Abstract

Mangrove ecosystems play a critical role in coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience, yet monitoring remains challenging in remote tropical regions. In Papua New Guinea, particularly within the Kamiali Wildlife Management Area (KWMA), logistical constraints, safety risks, complex terrain, and limited institutional capacity restrict conventional field-based surveys. This study evaluates the feasibility of major mangrove monitoring approaches, including satellite remote sensing, GIS analysis, UAV surveys, field sampling, and community-based monitoring. The findings indicate that no single method is sufficient under real-world conditions. Instead, a hybrid framework—combining satellite-based mapping with community validation and targeted field investigation—offers the most practical and sustainable strategy. The study provides applied insights to support evidence-based conservation in resource-constrained coastal contexts.

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