Analysing the rate of mangrove forest conversion in South Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi

The degradation of mangrove forests in the Konawe Selatan District has been very rapid over the past three decades. Increases in population growth in coastal areas have been associated with rapid development, including the need for land for housing and livelihood. This development has led to land conversion from mangrove forests to other uses. The aim of the research was to identify the pattern of spatial change of mangrove forests in South Konawe using a geospatial approach from 1984 to 2014. Landuse classification was generated through the processing of Landsat satellite imagery in multiple time series. The research showed that that between 1984 and 1993 in South Konawe District about 9.9% of mangrove forest was converted into open land, 2.3% into aquaculture ponds, and 0.4% into settlements. From 1993 to 2003, the rate of conversion increased rapidly as 13.8% of the remaining mangrove forest was cleared for aquaculture ponds and 1.5% into a settlement. Over the past three decades, 39.9% of mangrove forest in the district has been converted to other uses, and some of this conversion has occurred in protected areas. It’s recommended that the stronger enforcement of regulations pertaining to the protection of mangrove forests in South Konawe.