*2.2.2 Land use data collection procedures*

The study utilized four methods of data elicitation: Google Earth images for 2009, 2013, and 2016 to determine land use dynamics; observation of land use; in-depth interviews; and questionnaire survey. These methods were used to obtain and triangulate information on the type of land ownership, response to mangrove protection on private land, and strategies to address land tenure issues as it relates to mangrove management in the communities. The sample size consisted of forty-seven (47) households that exist in locations colonized by mangroves.

Various studies on land use or land cover mapping at large scale commonly used the low and medium spatial resolution imagery, such as NOAA, TERRA/MODIS, and Landsat TM or ETM+ [2], and some other global and regional land use or cover products such as FROM-GLC [16, 17] and GLC2000 [18] obtained from remotely sensed data. These advanced technologies have definitely improved our understanding of regional and global land cover distribution and their changes. Regrettably, the relatively low spatial resolution renders them inadequate for detailed land cover mapping in areas that have complex and high varied landscapes, such as cities that are usually featured by small-dimension elements, combined with intricate spatial patterns [18]. Changes in land use close to areas where mangroves exist are often reflected in the land use policy and tenure systems [19]. These changes, which can be determined using Google Earth (GE), are a basic indicator of mangrove coverage and extent [20].

The GE tool was applied to this study for a number of reasons. When used at small scales, it generates medium spatial resolution images. It is a free and open data source and it provides enormous support for the traditional land use/ cover mapping [21, 22]. However, very few studies have been undertaken to use GE images as the direct data source for land use/cover mapping and opted for higher spatial resolution images, including QuickBird, IKONOS, and RapidEye [21–23]. If Google Earth images can achieve relatively satisfactory classification, they can provide some opportunities for detailed land use/cover mapping by costing little [19, 24], and is, therefore, quite suitable for use in this study. The three images generated from GE captured the spatial extent of mangroves from 2009 to 2016.

The data obtained from GE has been incorporated in the analysis and discussion section (Section 3.0) of this chapter to help in the understanding of the extent to which mangrove management is stymied by these issues. The Conceptual Framework in **Figure 2** outlines the requirements of and various issues associated with land use, tenure, and sustainable mangrove management.

**37**

**Figure 2.**

*management. Data compiled by the author.*

*Effects of Rural Land Tenure System on Mangroves Management in Corentyne, Guyana*

**3. Effects of land use and tenure issues on management of mangroves**

*Conceptual framework of the various issues associated with land use, tenure, and sustainable mangrove* 

As observed during the study, land within the study area was used primarily for the purposes of cultivation of mangroves and marshes; for establishment of residential area; for agriculture; and for recreation. Based on the data obtained,

**3.1 Land use in the communities over the past 10 years**

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89610*

*Effects of Rural Land Tenure System on Mangroves Management in Corentyne, Guyana DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89610*

#### **Figure 2.**

*Land Use Change and Sustainability*

and

mangroves.

and extent [20].

2009 to 2016.

which information was readily available;

*2.2.2 Land use data collection procedures*

a.Availability of data: the need to identify, for comparison purposes, sites for

with similar characteristics, such as employment and presence of mangroves;

c.Accessibility of sites: the close proximity of the study areas to the main transport route and population allowed for relative ease of visits to the sites.

The study utilized four methods of data elicitation: Google Earth images for 2009, 2013, and 2016 to determine land use dynamics; observation of land use; in-depth interviews; and questionnaire survey. These methods were used to obtain and triangulate information on the type of land ownership, response to mangrove protection on private land, and strategies to address land tenure issues as it relates to mangrove management in the communities. The sample size consisted of forty-seven (47) households that exist in locations colonized by

Various studies on land use or land cover mapping at large scale commonly used the low and medium spatial resolution imagery, such as NOAA, TERRA/MODIS, and Landsat TM or ETM+ [2], and some other global and regional land use or cover products such as FROM-GLC [16, 17] and GLC2000 [18] obtained from remotely sensed data. These advanced technologies have definitely improved our understanding of regional and global land cover distribution and their changes. Regrettably, the relatively low spatial resolution renders them inadequate for detailed land cover mapping in areas that have complex and high varied landscapes, such as cities that are usually featured by small-dimension elements, combined with intricate spatial patterns [18]. Changes in land use close to areas where mangroves exist are often reflected in the land use policy and tenure systems [19]. These changes, which can be determined using Google Earth (GE), are a basic indicator of mangrove coverage

The GE tool was applied to this study for a number of reasons. When used at small scales, it generates medium spatial resolution images. It is a free and open data source and it provides enormous support for the traditional land use/ cover mapping [21, 22]. However, very few studies have been undertaken to use GE images as the direct data source for land use/cover mapping and opted for higher spatial resolution images, including QuickBird, IKONOS, and RapidEye [21–23]. If Google Earth images can achieve relatively satisfactory classification, they can provide some opportunities for detailed land use/cover mapping by costing little [19, 24], and is, therefore, quite suitable for use in this study. The three images generated from GE captured the spatial extent of mangroves from

The data obtained from GE has been incorporated in the analysis and discussion section (Section 3.0) of this chapter to help in the understanding of the extent to which mangrove management is stymied by these issues. The Conceptual Framework in **Figure 2** outlines the requirements of and various issues associated

with land use, tenure, and sustainable mangrove management.

b.Socio-economic and ecological consideration: the need to identify sites

**36**

*Conceptual framework of the various issues associated with land use, tenure, and sustainable mangrove management. Data compiled by the author.*
