Detecting changes in the mangrove forests of southern Thailand using remotely sensed data and GIS

Remote sensing and GIS were used to analyze the changes in the mangrove forest. Mangrove forests have been used by different user groups. Changing of government policies on mangrove forest utilization and management caused the occurrence of three major activities; mangrove forest concession, tin-mining activities and intensive shrimp farming. These activities were considered as the major reasons for changes of mangrove forest areas and led to the degradation of mangrove forest, the loss of mangrove forest and ecological disturbance. Furthermore, it affected the mangrove forest dependence-dwellers.