Using high-resolution imagery from 2013 and 2020 to establish baseline vegetation in oil-damaged mangrove habitat prior to large-scale post-remediation planting in Bodo, Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria

The study area encompasses the largest remedial effort ever undertaken in oil-contaminated mangrove habitats (∼1000 ha) and includes planting of ∼2 million mangrove seedlings to initiate the restoration process. To establish a reference point for both the initial planting and long-term monitoring, and to investigate the longer-term effects of numerous oil spills, mangrove distribution (with minor quantities of nipa palm) was determined using 0.1 and 0.5 m resolution imagery from 2013 and 2020, supported by numerous ground surveys and low-altitude overflights. A review of pre-spill mangrove location and elimination of pipeline and road corridors determined that 829 ha of former mangrove habitat was suitable for restorative planting. After testing each method, existing vegetation was classified using a supervised object-based classification method (Support Vector Machine) and mean shift segmentation, trained with ten manually classified plots of 1 ha and validated against seven additional plots. Initial classification errors occurred due to false positives caused by surface algae, which were manually removed. The accuracy assessment to determine overall mangrove cover (ha) and ability to encounter mangroves at a specific location within randomly selected 0.785 m2 circles increased to ≥95% within validation plots. In contrast to losses found in other areas of the Niger Delta, vegetation increased in the core area of study (15.6 ha–40.2 ha) but represented only 4.8% of the total 829 ha to be planted. To the west, a 10% vegetation gain was found; to the east where oil theft activities were common, there was a 16% loss. A comparison to a West Africa 20-m data set shows comparative values within 5%, with notable differences when reviewed in detail. Monitoring of the area as it is replanted is expected to continue to 2027 and will use these results as a comparison. This study serves as guidance for analysis and monitoring of future mangrove restorations in the Niger Delta. •The study area has the largest oil spill-related mangrove cleanup and restoration ever.•2013 and 2020 images (0.1, 0.5 m) were used to assess mangrove distribution change.•SVM and image segmentation compared to manual classification found ≥95% accuracy.•Mangroves increased from 15.6 ha to 40.2 ha, but is only 4.8% of 829 ha to be planted.•Mangroves in an adjacent area prone to illegal oil theft decreased by 16%.