Coastal vegetation plays a significant role in stabilizing the surface against wind, erosion and provides critical terrestrial and aquatic habitats together with unique coastal ecosystems which support a rich biological diversity. However, it is recognized that environmental factors such as micrometeorology, soil nutrient status, pH, and physical elements of aspect or slope determine potential vegetation patterns and coverage. Around the world, it is also acknowledged that global change such as LULC change and climate change significantly impact coastal vegetation with associated ecosystem services. This project provides information on the predictive coastal vegetation cover types with associated environmental variables, vegetation cover dynamics and vulnerability through global change such as LULC change and climate change impact. Vegetation types can be detected from classification of drone images and associated environmental variables from soil, topography and climate. Also, vegetation cover dynamics can be detected from LULC classification with underlying driven forces of change from household survey. Likewise, through experts’ opinions and geospatial approach (InVEST), vegetation cover vulnerability to climate change impact can also be analyzed.
This study aims at understanding coastal vegetation cover responses to global change and environmental variable in South-western coastal zone of Ghana, Ahanta district with the purpose of:
- Determining vegetation cover types with associated environmental variables controlling coastal vegetation.
- Evaluating coastal vegetation cover dynamics through satellite images and identify key drivers of change
- Modeling coastal vegetation cover vulnerability to climate change impact.
This study will demonstrate a baseline information to coastal managers and assist to plan, prioritize and design coastal management plans at the landscape level. The study will also inform policy for sustainable conservation of coastal vegetation.