| dc.description.abstract | Mangrove forests on the coast of Labuhanbatu and North Labuhanbatu Regencies, North Sumatra, face threats in the form of degradation and conversion to other land cover types. These activities cause a decline in the area and function of mangrove ecosystems. The spatial and temporal distribution of mangrove land cover is important information for supporting sustainable mangrove management. This study aims to analyze the dynamics of changes in the extent of mangrove land cover in the coastal areas of North Labuhanbatu and Labuhanbatu Regencies during the period 2004–2023. The method used for land cover analysis is guided Random Forest classification using Landsat 5 imagery (2004 and 2008) and Landsat 8 imagery (2013, 2018, and 2023), as well as evaluating the use of the MMRI (Modular Mangrove Recognition Index) in mangrove land cover. During the period 2004–2023, mangrove deforestation reached an area of 12,229.8 ha (12.86%), primarily due to land conversion for residential areas, fish ponds, oil palm plantations, open land, and water bodies. Mangrove gain was only 1,607.42 ha (1.69%), indicating that rehabilitation efforts have not been commensurate with the rate of loss. The area of mangrove forest that remained stable during the study period was 3,667.11 hectares (3.86%), while the stable non-mangrove area reached 77,598.2 hectares (81.59%). The median value of the MMRI index was in the median range of -0.44 in 2004, -0.41 in 2008, -0.41 in 2013, -0.38 in 2018, and -0.45 in 2023. | en_US |
