On the reliability of the data of the extent of mangroves: A case study in Mexico

Identification of Mangrove Areas by Remote Sensing: The ROC Curve Technique Applied to the Northwestern Mexico Coastal Zone Using Landsat Imagery

“…Unfortunately, there is an alarming global decline in mangrove ecosystems because of population growth, global warming, aquaculture, and industrial and urban development [10][11][12][13]. As a result of the monetary costs associated with the loss of mangrove ecosystems, policymakers are becoming increasingly aware of the need to incorporate new methods to quickly and accurately assess changes in mangrove forest cover.…”

“…Mexico is estimated to have suffered a 2.1% annual loss of mangroves from 1990-2000, just below that of the USA (2.4%) and Nicaragua (2.8%), but far less than seen in Haiti, Barbados, and Honduras, where deforestation rates are greater than 4% annually. Recent data reported by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), based on numerous sources, showed that Mexico had the highest rate of mangrove deforestation in the Middle American region, with losses of more than 100 km 2 per year [11]. Several studies commencing in the mid-1990s used satellite images to estimate the spatial extent of mangroves in Mexico, but the results remain controversial because of methodological problems [11].…”

“…Recent data reported by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), based on numerous sources, showed that Mexico had the highest rate of mangrove deforestation in the Middle American region, with losses of more than 100 km 2 per year [11]. Several studies commencing in the mid-1990s used satellite images to estimate the spatial extent of mangroves in Mexico, but the results remain controversial because of methodological problems [11]. The National Forest Inventory of 2000 (INF-2000) standardized RS techniques and implemented partial verification methods to increase the accuracy of cover type estimates.…”

“…The National Forest Inventory of 2000 (INF-2000) standardized RS techniques and implemented partial verification methods to increase the accuracy of cover type estimates. However, INF-2000 did not consider mangrove forests, so the extent of changes in mangrove ecosystems remains controversial [11].…”

Impact of Shrimp Farming on Mangrove Forest and Other Coastal Wetlands: The Case of Mexico

“…It is common that some differences in mangrove cover estimations obtained by the extrapolation of local values or using different inputs and evaluation techniques would be misinterpreted as deforestation (Ruiz-Luna et al 2008). Most of the above papers mainly describe the conditions observed in Sinaloa and Nayarit, in northwest Mexico.…”