Search

Given the ability of effectively observing vegetation at a variety of spatial and temporal scales, remote sensing has been widely used to monitor and understand the change of mangrove forest extent. Yet, a systematic cognition of the unique contribution of remote sensing on studying mangrove forest extent dynamic is lacking, which prevents us from clearly identifying and further overcoming current deficiencies of studying the change of mangrove forest extent with remote sensing. Therefore, in this review, we summarized remotely sensed extraction methods and data related to mangrove forest extent change monitoring and all discoveries from mangrove forest extent change observation and driver analysis. We found that mangrove forest in most of the study areas has declined over the past decades, and the loss rate is accelerating. We also found that remote sensing plays an important role in revealing how the extent of mangrove forest responds to climate change and human impacts. In addition, we identified several recurring limitations from previous studies. This review highlights the role of remote sensing on studying mangrove forest extent change, and is helpful to make better use of remotely sensed data in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]