Spatial Analysis of Change Detection and Total Carbon Stock Present In Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary of Andhra Pradesh Coast

Mangroves growing near coast area at a constant threat of destruction due to anthropogenic pressure. Loss of these ecosystem can lead to at the loss of critical functions of mangroves, one of which is carbon sequestration. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Mangroves can annually sequester carbon at a rate two to five times greater than mature tropical forests. Below ground content of mangroves is 4 to 18 times higher than the carbon content of tropical rainforests (Baba et al. 2002). Thus, it is very significant to quantify the carbon stocks in different components of this ecosystem. Carbon sequestration, emission and storage can be estimated by quantifying the amount of above and below ground biomass from which the C stored in forest ecosystems can be estimated (Momba 2010). However, this exercise becomes extraordinarily challenging when applied to mangrove ecosystems, which are relatively inaccessible. Determination of Above Surface Biomass (ASB) is an important step in planning the protection and sustainable use of mangrove resources. In the present paper, Change Detection is done and the total Carbon Stock is determined by using the formulas of ASB, BSB, TAB and TCS.