ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF SHRIMP AQUACULTURE IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL: A REMOTE SENSING APPROACH TO COASTAL HABITAT CHANGE DETECTION
Abstract
Aquaculture is the fastest growing sector of food production in the world. However,
rapid expansion of shrimp aquaculture ponds may induce potentially detrimental changes
in extent and health of coastal habitats utilized by migratory shorebirds. The aim
of this work is to describe the landscape changes that occurred between 1990 and 2006
in coastal Northeast Brazil as a result of increased shrimp pond development. A suite
of remote sensing techniques was employed to process Landsat and ASTER imagery at
three separate time periods (1990, 2000 & 2006) and generate land cover maps for each
time period. Post-classification change detection analysis revealed critical conversions
between identified coastal habitat types in Northeast Brazil. The results of this
study revealed a substantial growth of shrimp aquaculture facilities on the northern
coast of Northeast Brazil between 1990 and 2006. Contrary to the literature, the expansive
tidal salt flats in the study area, not mangrove forests, are experiencing the greatest
destruction as a result of shrimp aquaculture. Research and management efforts should
be directed at determining the extent of utilization of these salt flat areas by migratory
shorebirds.
Type
Master's projectSubject
AquacultureShrimp
migratory shorebirds
Northeast Brazil
Coastal
Remote Sensing
Tidal Salt Flats
Mangrove Forests
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/284Citation
Zitello, Adam G. (2007). ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF SHRIMP AQUACULTURE IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL: A REMOTE SENSING
APPROACH TO COASTAL HABITAT CHANGE DETECTION. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/284.Collections
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