In this poster, we present the highest-resolution-available (10-m) map of mangroves in the Mesoamerican Reef Ecoregion (MAR). We created the map in Google Earth Engine by performing a random forest classification on Sentinel-2 satellite imagery captured in 2020. The MAR is an interconnected system of mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef ecosystems spanning the Caribbean coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. Mangroves in the region are highly valuable and highly threatened, and our project addresses the urgent need to monitor mangrove changes in the region at high resolution and with a consistent mapping methodology. Our map is the first time that mangrove area for the entire MAR has been mapped at 10-m spatial resolution at the same time with one standardized methodology. Our map provides a baseline inventory of mangroves in the region, and our Google Earth Engine algorithm provides a free, “one-click” workflow that regional stakeholders can easily and efficiently use to map future mangrove changes. Sophisticated computing power is not required. Stakeholders only need an internet connection to access and implement our algorithm.
Mapping Mangroves in the Mesoamerican Reef Ecoregion Using Google Earth Engine