Date of Defense
22-5-2024 11:00 AM
Location
F3-031
Document Type
Thesis Defense
Degree Name
Master of Science in Space Science (MSSS)
College
College of Science
Department
Physics
First Advisor
Dr. Nazmi Saleous
Keywords
Mangrove Forests, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Aboveground Biomass (AGB) Estimation, Vegetation Indices, Remote Sensing Techniques, Landsat 8 and 9, Carbon Storage
Abstract
Mangrove forest ecosystems play an essential role in diminishing the effects of climate change caused by the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Estimating mangrove forest aboveground biomass (AGB) can assist in decision-making for conservation, sustainable use, and protection of these forests. The goal of this research project was to map the AGB of mangrove forests along the coasts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the aid of Landsat-8-9 satellite imagery data acquired in September 2023. 12 AGB estimation models were developed based on the combination of in situ measurements and Landsat-8-9 derived vegetation indices. π΄πΊπ΅ = 58975 πΈππΌ 2.7659 was the best model selected with R2 = 0.8105 and p-value < 0.005. The average percentage error between the calculated and derived AGB values was 22% which allowed estimation of mangrove forest AGB across the entire UAE. Maps of AGB and AGC were generated and the total values were estimated to be 1,902,653.231 tons and 894,246.882 tons respectively. The results and findings from this study will be used as a standard methodology for environmental studies for the Arab Satellite 813, an Earthobservation satellite to be launched in Q1 of 2025. The findings could also assist relevant authorities in taking necessary actions, formulating policies, and implementing plans for sustainable management of mangrove forests of the UAE
Included in
BIOMASS ESTIMATION OF MATURE MANGROVE TREES IN THE UAE USING SPACEBORNE REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUES.
F3-031
Mangrove forest ecosystems play an essential role in diminishing the effects of climate change caused by the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Estimating mangrove forest aboveground biomass (AGB) can assist in decision-making for conservation, sustainable use, and protection of these forests. The goal of this research project was to map the AGB of mangrove forests along the coasts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the aid of Landsat-8-9 satellite imagery data acquired in September 2023. 12 AGB estimation models were developed based on the combination of in situ measurements and Landsat-8-9 derived vegetation indices. π΄πΊπ΅ = 58975 πΈππΌ 2.7659 was the best model selected with R2 = 0.8105 and p-value < 0.005. The average percentage error between the calculated and derived AGB values was 22% which allowed estimation of mangrove forest AGB across the entire UAE. Maps of AGB and AGC were generated and the total values were estimated to be 1,902,653.231 tons and 894,246.882 tons respectively. The results and findings from this study will be used as a standard methodology for environmental studies for the Arab Satellite 813, an Earthobservation satellite to be launched in Q1 of 2025. The findings could also assist relevant authorities in taking necessary actions, formulating policies, and implementing plans for sustainable management of mangrove forests of the UAE