**2.2 Application of geographic information system and remote sensing for zoning and regionalization**

Despite the relatively huge body of literature on the use of various applications for spatial and biological diversity studies in general, few have provided overviews on the current state of play about the use of the applications to study coastal environments and to identify potential avenues for further research [10]. The myriad of

#### *Perspectives and Application of Land Use Management Strategies to Address Mangrove… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112752*

environmental issues facing coastal ecosystems today, ranging from pollution, erosion and sedimentation, and sea level rise to biodiversity loss have a spatial dimension and as such surmounting them without the aid of geospatial technologies (e.g., GIS and RS) and information technology (IT) has proven to be very challenging [20–22]. This holds true in the context of mangrove ecosystems.

The rapid development and use of such technologies have led to a better understanding of some geophysical and ecological systems that were once difficult to map, track and monitor [23]. It is the geospatial information (GI) system connected to computer science that created the digital product for managing the physical environment in any part of the world. In fact, there is a very strong connection between geospatial technology and information and communication systems. Prior to their existence, data access and data application scales were limited also. While some researchers explained that Geomatics fields such as GIS and RS can be facilitated by information and communication technologies (ICT) tools for database management, data sharing, networking, computer graphics and visualization, some other authors posited that the technologies and ICT are inseparable [2, 10, 24].

The emerging applications that integrate the two groups of tools are based on wireless network of geo-sensors that detect, monitor, and track environmental phenomena and processes [10]. One aspect that matters to scientists, planners and environmental managers is the application of various geospatial technologies and interpretation and communication of the outputs to enhance knowledge about the biophysical environment for current and future use [25, 26].

Many studies conducted to date have used GIS and RS-based techniques to track vegetation and ecosystems change temporally, automate the process of waste planning and management, and make predictions about their future [22, 23]. These are three of the many possible uses of the technologies in this context [27]. In contrast, there has been much less research concerned with using GIS and RS to simulate mangrove geographical distribution and change based on landscape classifications, ecosystem degradation by natural and anthropogenic means, mangrove ecosystem dynamics in a changing coastal environment, and ecological risk assessment for the adaptation of different mangrove species to a changing environmental condition [28, 29].

There are even fewer studies that focused on modeling periods of favorable environmental conditions for mangroves such as estimating the rates of forest fragmentation and the overall health of mangroves, validating ecological theories, classifying vegetation types based on the underlying geology using GIS, and delimiting units/areas into sub-regions for better management [2]. These are made possible due to the capability of GIS, which is enhanced by various software, such as Arc GIS, GRASS GIS, gvSIG, ILWIS, JUMP GIS, uDIG, Capaware, FalconView, TerraView, and Geosoft, and modern GIS digitization which is the most common method for collecting and analyzing the data.

#### **2.3 Zoning**

Zoning is the process whereby compatible land uses and related activities are aggregated and regulated, and the character of an area/community is preserved. It deals with the demarcation of areas into small units for the purpose of different land uses. Several criteria such as topography, soils, climate, and vegetation can be used to subdivide a large area into zones. For zoning, satellite data obtained through RS are used to demarcate suitable mangrove areas and monitor and manage the vegetation. For instance, the Forest Survey of India (FSI) used Linear Imaging Self Scanning

Sensor (LISS-III) and PAN in their study of mangroves. The LISS-III technology is an optical sensor that works in four spectral bands (green, red, near infrared and short-wave infrared) and covers a 141 km wide swath with a resolution of 23v meters in all spectral bands. Landsat TM images were used to locate and measure the accreted mudflat areas along Cox's Bazar coast of Bangladesh and then land suitability classification was done considering the important spatial criteria for zoning the area and managing mangrove plantation. Other cases include the coasts of Indonesia, Iran, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, and Malaysia where mangroves exist in significant proportions and are under constant research and monitoring [30, 31]. RS-based satellite techniques such as IRS LISS II and LISS III, LANDSAT TM consist of the modern and advanced databases which are boosting the application of mangrove management strategies in a virtuous manner [32, 33].

#### **2.4 Regionalization**

Regionalization in the context of this study refers to the practice of delineating regions into smaller units for administrative purposes and the application of management strategies at a smaller scale [34]. Having borders is not a requirement for the units to be demarcated. Each unit consists of certain criteria of its own and has its own characteristics that differentiate it from other units. Regionalization also allows for demarcating areas/zones into units based on parameters such as soil classification types, elevation, vulnerability to floods and potential for developmental activities, among others [35, 36]. Separating an area into units has its advantages, such as facilitating better management and fostering local community and household involvement in coastal resources management as custodians and stewards, but it also has disadvantages since it could result in the units having similar, overlapping representations, and coinciding with administrative/political boundaries.

#### **2.5 Land use and mangrove ecosystems management in coastal Guyana**

Land use and coastal ecosystems management in the country is impacted by the lack of zoning and planning control mechanisms visible in the choice of location for development activities. Evidently, limited use of geospatial technology and poorly guided planning decisions regarding land use are major factors contributing to the difficulties experienced in protecting many coastal ecosystems in the country. Urban expansion has also brought about many environmental problems not only in urban locales, but also in surrounding rural areas. These include illegal disposal of waste and land degradation [37–39]. Further, coastal mangrove management is complicated by the issue of land ownership in many areas. Private land ownership creates problems for policy implementation as owners of the land often do not comply with regulations and demand compensation from the authorities before complying with rules and regulations for land use.

In an attempt to address the issues locally, the Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project (GMRP) has embarked on an impressive drive over the last decade to protect and where necessary rehabilitate and restore mangroves in various sections of the coast, in addition to seeking the collaboration of private landowners. The goal is to promote mangroves for coastal protection and to facilitate livelihood initiatives by using ecosystems-based approaches [40, 41]. From 2010, the GMRP laid out plans for the establishment of sustainable mangrove ecosystems. Between 2012 and 2019, several mangrove sites have been brought under the control of the Project

*Perspectives and Application of Land Use Management Strategies to Address Mangrove… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112752*

Office [40, 42]. In many instances, however, the activities have been constrained by inadequate technological resources and a paucity of staff capable of utilizing geospatial technologies and techniques for scientific data collection and analysis.

While tremendous efforts have been made, both public and private sector agencies, such as Sea & River Defense Department (S&RDD) of the Ministry of Public Works and Conservation International Guyana Inc. (CI) respectively, and local communities to intensify mangrove ecosystems management activities, not all of the activities have been well-sustained [39, 40]. The result is that the targets set for mangrove ecosystems management have not been fully materialized and some of the challenges persist today [38, 43, 44]. The Guyana Forestry Commission, which has the legal mandate for mangroves, has begun to utilize geospatial technologies to aid forest management in the country. If geospatial technologies are not utilized in a highly efficient manner in land use and ecosystems management, coastal mangroves will continue to be exposed to various risks and vulnerabilities, such as land degradation and sea level rise [17, 45].
