| dc.description.abstract | Mangrove forests are critical coastal ecosystems that play an essential role as carbon sinks, coastal protectors against erosion, barriers to seawater intrusion, and habitats for diverse biota; however, their existence is increasingly threatened by human activities, particularly illegal logging, which is widespread in several regions including Lubuk Kertang, North Sumatra. This study aims to analyze the extent of mangrove deforestation caused by illegal logging during the period 2018–2024 using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, which provides high-resolution spatial and temporal data for remote sensing analysis. The period 2018–2024 was selected due to the increasing availability and accuracy of Sentinel-2 data since 2018, as well as the alignment with the intensification of national mangrove rehabilitation programs, thus allowing both the assessment of mangrove forest loss dynamics and the evaluation of the effectiveness of conservation policies. The methodology employed includes image classification and change detection to identify land cover changes and quantify the loss of mangrove areas, providing accurate spatial information regarding the extent and patterns of deforestation. The findings of this study are expected to serve as a scientific basis to support mangrove conservation, rehabilitation, and sustainable management efforts, while also strengthening Indonesia’s contribution to global climate change mitigation. | en_US |
