MANGROVE FOREST VEGETATION INDEX IN THE AIR TELANG PROTECTED FOREST OF BANYUASIN DISTRICT, SOUTH SUMATERA USING PLEIADES SATELLITE IMAGERY

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the vegetation index of mangrove forests in the Protected Forest Area of Air Telang, Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra Province, using Pleiades satellite imagery. The Air Telang Protected Forest is a vital mangrove ecosystem that plays a significant role in coastal protection and climate change mitigation. However, this area has experienced degradation due to human activities such as land conversion and illegal logging. To monitor the condition of mangrove vegetation in this area, high-resolution satellite imagery is used, particularly in analyzing vegetation indices through the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). This remote sensing method allows for high-accuracy identification of vegetation health, which can serve as a foundation for sustainable mangrove conservation and management efforts. The analysis results show that the mangrove cover in this area is dominated by low to medium-density vegetation, with high-density vegetation covering only a limited area. This study provides essential contributions to the management of mangrove ecosystems and can be used as a reference for policy-making in mangrove forest management in Indonesia.