All Of Our Mangrove Maps Are Wrong: A Framework For Harmonizing Mangrove Maps For SDG Reporting
Abstract
Mangrove forests are a globally important water-related ecosystem and knowledge on their extent is critical for achieving SDG 6.6.1. Within the last decade, there has been a large increase in the number of global scale maps of mangrove extent, change and aboveground and belowground biomass and carbon. These datasets have often had overlapping objectives and delivered similar outputs, regularly building upon the work of their predecessors. However, given the number available, the definitive dataset that policy makers and stakeholders should use remains ambiguous and the wealth of data is becoming prohibitive rather than beneficial to users. Each available dataset has incumbent limitations and there has been little comparison between them and a limited assessment of the propagation of error throughout the linked products. Through a review, we quantify and map the differences between similar global mangrove products and attribute these to the variation in the datasets and methods used. We observe large differences in published maps of mangrove extent due to the input datasets and methods used in their creation. Similarly, published biomass/carbon maps also vary considerably, driven by the variation in the field data, dataset resolution and method used. Furthermore, where maps are built upon existing datasets, we observe a neglect for limitations that propagate throughout updated maps and undermine the ability of global scale information to help achieve global scale SDG's. To guide users through this, we provide a framework from which stakeholders can decide upon the primary dataset that is most suitable for their application based upon a set of criteria that they can prioritize. We also recommend the movement towards a single hybrid-geospatial dataset by combining isolated products into a definitive assessment of global mangrove forest extent and ecosystem carbon, thereby reducing the ambiguity that accompanies multiple overlapping datasets. As mangroves are increasingly threatened, a comprehensive understanding of their extent and carbon content can only be achieved through a synthesis of all global mangrove maps in order to achieve the water-related ecosystem component of SDG 6.6.1.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFMIN41A..04T
- Keywords:
-
- 1640 Remote sensing;
- GLOBAL CHANGE;
- 1916 Data and information discovery;
- INFORMATICS;
- 4329 Sustainable development;
- NATURAL HAZARDS;
- 6620 Science policy;
- POLICY SCIENCES & PUBLIC ISSUES