Studies on the “Litoral Paulista” Mangrove Made by INPE

Hello reader!

It follows one communicates published in english on the day (06/10) in the website of the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) announcing that the institute is investigating the mangrove of the “ Coast Of São Paulo - Litoral Paulista ”.

Duda Falcão

Studies on the “Litoral Paulista”

mangrove made by INPE

October 06, 2010

A survey that has been currently conducted by the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), based on satellite images, has been showing that the human activity is threatening the mangrove forests of São Paulo southern coast.

The biologist Marília Cunha Lignon has been following this project for ten years and has been using the same issue to develop her post doctorate sponsored by FAPESP, under the supervision of the researcher Milton Kampel, head of INPE’s Remote Sensing Department. Through analysis and comparison of CBERS images (China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite) and Landsat-5, the researchers are able to monitor the gradual development of mangroves on the coast.

"Studying the spatiotemporal variation of the mangrove forests can help us to understand better the ecosystem activities and, this way adopt some measures to keep them all. Specifically for this research, the INPE has been helping us providing the necessary material along with the data of the satellite images and lightning information as well, which can affect the mangrove dynamics, "said Marilia.

Although this research has just started two irregularities in the mangroves of Cananéia and Iguape’s have been identified, located in the southern coast of São Paulo. The satellite images, aerial photos and field studies helped the identification of gaps in mangrove forests, what may represent a total destruction of the vegetation caused by man or nature actions.

While this process in the Cananéia’s mangroves seems to be natural, in Iguape’s the gap formation is due to human action. The researchers warn about the mitigation of this ecosystem area, what can lead to the ruin of some communities, and the fish supplying of larger cities like Sao Paulo.

"The remote sensing that has been managed by INPE has contributed and continues to contribute greatly to the monitoring of tropical forests, but may also help in many other studies, such as mangroves, rivers and forest fires," said Milton Kampel.

The mangrove areas provide vital and free benefits to the mankind, because they guarantee food resources such as fishes and crustaceans, in addition form a natural barrier to protect the coastal zone of the sea level rising, therefore protecting the man. Besides that, the mangroves can be considered as nurseries of the oceans what guarantees a biological diversity.

Gap at mangrove in Iguape’s region

Researchers estimate destruction in mangrove



Original mangrove in Cananéia

Source: WebSite of the National Institute for Space Research (INPE)