Digital Earth Africa Global Mangrove Watch

The Global Mangrove Watch (GMW) dataset is a result of the collaboration between Aberystwyth University (U.K.), solo Earth Observation (soloEO; Japan), Wetlands International the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The primary objective of producing this dataset is to provide countries lacking a national mangrove monitoring system with first cut mangrove extent and change maps, to help safeguard against further mangrove forest loss and degradation. The Global Mangrove Watch dataset (version 2) consists of a global baseline map of mangroves for 2010 and changes from this baseline for six epochs i.e. 1996, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2015 and 2016. Annual maps are planned from 2018 and onwards. The dataset can be used to identify mangrove ecosystems and monitor changes in mangrove extent. This is important in applications such as quantifying ‘blue carbon’, mitigating risks from natural disasters, and prioritising restoration activities. For more information on the Global Watch Mangrove product see the Global Mangrove Watch website.