Assessment of shoreline change and its relation with Mangrove vegetation: A case study over North Konkan region of Raigad, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Shorelines, in response to accretion and denudation, are dynamic in nature. Vulnerability of Sea Level Rise varies from place to place with 20th century observing greatest threat to it. Mangroves along the shore, are the one to first sustain this impact of SLR. In the present study an attempt has been made to understand the relation between shoreline changes with mangrove habitat through remote sensing data and geospatial technique. Shoreline change rate has been calculated for the years 2000, 2012 and 2019, in Digital Shoreline Analysis System by End Point Rate. Change analysis indicates that in last 20 years erosion dominated the study area with an average rate of -0.02m/yr. During 2000 to 2012, relatively higher erosional rates (-0.35m/yr) were observed. While from 2012 to 2019 accretion process dominated this area with a rate of 0.43m/yr. Sonakothakar, Mothe Bhal and Dadar with denudational trends have observed landward progradation of mangroves whereas, at Aware, a zone of over accretion exhibited a seaward progradation of mangroves. This type of integrated study not only will help to understand active process over the shore but also will help to conserve mangrove habitat. Such regional scale studies should be carried out before implementing any coastal conservation projects.