Date of Award

1995

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Department

Geography

Keywords

Physical Geography.

Supervisor

Lakhan, V. Chris,

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

Two approaches were taken to investigate mangrove forests located along the coast of Guyana. The first involved assessing the extent of recent changes for both species composition and areal boundary, as well as identifying the major factors associated with these changes. The second approach involved evaluating satellite imagery as a means for monitoring these communities. For the first study, a Geographic Information System (GIS) was utilized to track the changes over time. It was determined that mangrove communities located between the Pomeroon and Corentyne Rivers have experienced an overall decrease by 5.57% or a loss of 24.93 km$\sp2$ between the periods 1960-64 and 1986-88. Forests dominated by Rhizophora mangle and by mangrove associates were reduced by 94.23% (7.35 km$\sp2)$ and by 10.27% (35.81 km$\sp2)$ respectively. Avicennia germinans dominated communities experienced an increase by 3.75% (2.84 km$\sp2)$ and mixed stands of Avicennia and Rhizophora an increase by 106.05% (15.39 km$\sp2).$ Mangrove communities located west of the Pomeroon River towards the Moruka River experienced an overall increase by 19.09% or a gain of 121.45 km$\sp2.$ Mangrove associate and Avicennia germinans dominated forests contribute to roughly 57% and 43% of this expansion respectively. The leading cause of mangrove forest loss between the Pomeroon and Corentyne Rivers was determined to be urban/agricultural expansion. The majority of the gains has resulted from accretion in the coastal environment. The fluctuations and the gains of mangrove communities west of the Pomeroon River could not be linked to any particular agent of change. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)Dept. of Geography. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1994 .K70. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 34-02, page: 0693. Adviser: V. Chris Lakhan. Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1995.

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