IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v14y2025i9p1820-d1743977.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Spatio-Temporal Changes in Mangroves in Sri Lanka: Landsat Analysis from 1987 to 2022

Author

Listed:
  • Darshana Athukorala

    (Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan)

  • Yuji Murayama

    (Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan)

  • Siri Karunaratne

    (Land Use Policy Planning Department, Ministry of Lands, Colombo 00500, Sri Lanka)

  • Rangani Wijenayake

    (National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba 305-8506, Japan)

  • Takehiro Morimoto

    (Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan)

  • S. L. J. Fernando

    (Department of Geography, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Matara 81000, Sri Lanka)

  • N. S. K. Herath

    (Department of Environmental Management, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale 50300, Sri Lanka)

Abstract

Mangroves in Sri Lanka provide critical ecosystem services, yet they have undergone significant changes due to anthropogenic and natural drivers. This study presents the first national-scale assessment of mangrove dynamics in Sri Lanka using remote sensing techniques. A total of 4670 Landsat images from Landsat 5, 7, 8, and 9 were selected to detect mangrove distribution, changes in extent, and structure and stability patterns from 1987 to 2022. A Random Forest classification model was applied to elucidate the spatial changes in mangrove distribution in Sri Lanka. Using national-scale data enhanced mapping accuracy by incorporating region-specific spectral and ecological characteristics. The average overall accuracy of the maps was over 96.29%. The total extent of mangroves in 2022 was 16,615 ha, representing 0.25% of the total land of Sri Lanka. The results further indicate that, at the national scale, mangrove extent increased from 1989 to 2022, with a net gain of 1988 ha (13.6%), suggesting a sustained and continuous recovery of mangroves. Provincial-wise assessments reveal that the Eastern and Northern Provinces showed the largest mangrove extents in Sri Lanka. In contrast, the Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara districts in the Western Province showed persistent declines. The top mangrove spatial structure and stability districts were Jaffna, Trincomalee, and Gampaha, while the most degraded mangrove districts were Batticaloa, Colombo, and Kalutara. This study offers critical insights into sustainable mangrove management, policy implementation, and climate resilience strategies in Sri Lanka.

Suggested Citation

  • Darshana Athukorala & Yuji Murayama & Siri Karunaratne & Rangani Wijenayake & Takehiro Morimoto & S. L. J. Fernando & N. S. K. Herath, 2025. "Spatio-Temporal Changes in Mangroves in Sri Lanka: Landsat Analysis from 1987 to 2022," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-26, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:9:p:1820-:d:1743977
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/9/1820/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/9/1820/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Darshana Athukorala & Ronald C. Estoque & Yuji Murayama & Bunkei Matsushita, 2021. "Ecosystem Services Monitoring in the Muthurajawela Marsh and Negombo Lagoon, Sri Lanka, for Sustainable Landscape Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-18, October.
    2. Sierra-Correa, Paula Cristina & Cantera Kintz, Jaime Ricardo, 2015. "Ecosystem-based adaptation for improving coastal planning for sea-level rise: A systematic review for mangrove coasts," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 385-393.
    3. Di Dong & Huamei Huang & Qing Gao & Kang Li & Shengpeng Zhang & Ran Yan, 2025. "Temporal and Spatial Patterns of Blue Carbon Storage in Mangrove and Salt Marsh Ecosystems in Guangdong, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-27, May.
    4. Nicholas J. Murray & Stuart R. Phinn & Michael DeWitt & Renata Ferrari & Renee Johnston & Mitchell B. Lyons & Nicholas Clinton & David Thau & Richard A. Fuller, 2019. "The global distribution and trajectory of tidal flats," Nature, Nature, vol. 565(7738), pages 222-225, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Changda Liu & Jie Li & Qiuhua Tang & Jiawei Qi & Xinghua Zhou, 2022. "Classifying the Nunivak Island Coastline Using the Random Forest Integration of the Sentinel-2 and ICESat-2 Data," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Chao Xu & Weibo Liu, 2021. "The Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Dynamic Changes of Tidal Flats in Florida from 1984 to 2020," Geographies, MDPI, vol. 1(3), pages 1-23, November.
    3. Jingfan Zhang & Zhe Lu & Jinge Zhou & Guoming Qin & Yicheng Bai & Christian J. Sanders & Peter I. Macreadie & Jiacan Yuan & Xingyun Huang & Faming Wang, 2025. "Getting the best of carbon bang for mangrove restoration buck," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Xiao, Hui & Chadès, Iadine & Hill, Narelle & Murray, Nicholas & Fuller, Richard A. & McDonald-Madden, Eve, 2021. "Conserving migratory species while safeguarding ecosystem services," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 442(C).
    5. Fatemeh Mohammadyari & Ardavan Zarandian & Mir Mehrdad Mirsanjari & Jurate Suziedelyte Visockiene & Egle Tumeliene, 2023. "Modelling Impact of Urban Expansion on Ecosystem Services: A Scenario-Based Approach in a Mixed Natural/Urbanised Landscape," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-24, January.
    6. Romy Hulskamp & Arjen Luijendijk & Bas Maren & Antonio Moreno-Rodenas & Floris Calkoen & Etiënne Kras & Stef Lhermitte & Stefan Aarninkhof, 2023. "Global distribution and dynamics of muddy coasts," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    7. Yanhui Chen & Guosheng Li & Linlin Cui & Lijuan Li & Lei He & Peipei Ma, 2022. "The Effects of Tidal Flat Reclamation on the Stability of the Coastal Area in the Jiangsu Province, China, from the Perspective of Landscape Structure," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-20, March.
    8. Faridzah Jamaluddin & Norman Mohd Saleh & Azizah Abdullah & Mohamat Sabri Hassan & Noradiva Hamzah & Romlah Jaffar & Sarah Aziz Abdul Ghani Aziz & Zaini Embong, 2023. "Cooperative Governance and Cooperative Performance: A Systematic Literature Review," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, September.
    9. Su, Jie & Gasparatos, Alexandros, 2024. "Assessing the heterogeneity of public acceptability for mangrove restoration through a choice experiment," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    10. Fazliaty Edora Fadzli & Ajune Wanis Ismail & Shafina Abd Karim Ishigaki, 2023. "A systematic literature review: Real-time 3D reconstruction method for telepresence system," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(11), pages 1-37, November.
    11. Mohamad Azrin Ahamad & Kadir Arifin & Azlan Abas & Mahfudz Mahfudz & Muhammad Basir Cyio & Muhammad Khairil & Muhammad Nur Ali & Ilyas Lampe & Muhammad Ahsan Samad, 2022. "Systematic Literature Review on Variables Impacting Organization’s Zero Accident Vision in Occupational Safety and Health Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-28, June.
    12. Quoc Hoang Thai & Khuong Ngoc Mai, 2024. "Entrepreneurial traits: a systematic literature review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 74(4), pages 2717-2785, December.
    13. Claudia Shantal Moreno & Rosa Maria Roman-Cuesta & Steven W. J. Canty & Jorge Herrera & Claudia Teutli & Aarón Israel Muñiz-Castillo & Melanie McField & Melina Soto & Cibele do Amaral & Steven Paton &, 2022. "Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Nature-Based Solutions for Hurricane Risk Reduction Policies in the Mexican Caribbean," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-25, September.
    14. Justin P. Suraci & Tina G. Mozelewski & Caitlin E. Littlefield & Theresa Nogeire McRae & Ann Sorensen & Brett G. Dickson, 2023. "Management of U.S. Agricultural Lands Differentially Affects Avian Habitat Connectivity," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-20, March.
    15. Lian Tang & Siti Zobidah Omar & Jusang Bolong & Julia Wirza Mohd Zawawi, 2021. "Social Media Use Among Young People in China: A Systematic Literature Review," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(2), pages 21582440211, May.
    16. Shalini Munusamy & Sobana Jeyagobi & Isa Naina Mohamed & Jaya Kumar Murthy & Sheau Tsuey Chong & Hilwa Abdullah & Mohamamad Rahim Kamaluddin, 2022. "Underlying Familial Factors for Aggressive Behavior in Romantic Relationships: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-19, April.
    17. Mehdi Hafezi & Oz Sahin & Rodney A. Stewart & Brendan Mackey, 2018. "Creating a Novel Multi-Layered Integrative Climate Change Adaptation Planning Approach Using a Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-30, November.
    18. Tzu-Ling Chen & Hao-Wei Chiu & Yu-Fang Lin, 2020. "How do East and Southeast Asian Cities Differ from Western Cities? A Systematic Review of the Urban Form Characteristics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-19, March.
    19. Ramón Yordanis Alarcón Borges & Ofelia Pérez Montero & Juan Manuel Barragán Muñoz & Celene B. Milanés, 2025. "Institutional Frameworks and Strategies for Implementing the Socio-Ecosystemic Approach to Coastal Marine Governance in Cuba," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-33, May.
    20. Shisi Tang & Laixi Song & Shiqi Wan & Yafei Wang & Yazhen Jiang & Jinfeng Liao, 2022. "Long-Time-Series Evolution and Ecological Effects of Coastline Length in Coastal Zone: A Case Study of the Circum-Bohai Coastal Zone, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-19, August.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:9:p:1820-:d:1743977. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.