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Analysing the fragile islandscape of Ritchie's Archipelago: understanding land use changes, biodiversity loss, and tourism impacts on both the ecosystem and islanders

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Abstract

This study aims to assess the spatio-temporal changes in land use and land cover within the Ritchie Archipelago islandscape by utilizing multi-date Landsat satellite imagery spanning 1993, 2003, 2014, and 2023. The thematic maps were generated using a visual interpretation approach, categorizing the landscape into four main classes: forest, mangrove, creeks, and settlements with agriculture. The study shown a significant decrease in forest cover, diminishing from 209.11 km2 in 1993 to 202.52 km2 in 2023, with a total reduction of 6.98 km2. Notably, a pronounced shift in forest dynamics occurred between 2014 (205.59 km2) and 2023 (202.13 km2). This transformation predominantly results from human activities, encompassing forest exploitation and land conversion for agriculture and settlements, motivated by economic considerations. This is compounded by a consistent rise in settlement with agriculture areas, increasing from 20.04 km2 in 1993 to 24.63 km2 in 2023. Concurrently, creeks remained relatively stable. Mangroves displayed growth, expanding by 2 km2 from 23.48 km2 in 1993 to 25.48 km2 in 2023. This increase is attributed to natural regeneration and the Andaman and Nicobar Forest department's conservation efforts. The study discussed in detail impact of anthropogenic and natural drivers on the region's biodiversity, with a primary emphasis on the ramifications of tourism development on islandcape natural resources and on islanders of Havelock and Neil Island.

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© Vyacheslav Argenberg / http://www.vascoplanet.com]

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© Vyacheslav Argenberg / http://www.vascoplanet.com]

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Availability of data and materials

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their gratitude to the USGS for historical satellite data, as well as to Google Earth for their invaluable support in providing reference maps during the map** process.

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The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Central University of Karnataka, Karnataka, 585311, India

    Mahammad Mustafa

  2. Lab for Spatial Informatics, International Institute of Information Technology - Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Telangana, 500032, India

    P. Rama Chandra Prasad

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  1. Mahammad Mustafa
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  2. P. Rama Chandra Prasad
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The first author implemented data analysis, while the second author contributed to proposal, interpretation, and manuscript writing and final revision.

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Correspondence to P. Rama Chandra Prasad.

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Mustafa, M., Prasad, P.R.C. Analysing the fragile islandscape of Ritchie's Archipelago: understanding land use changes, biodiversity loss, and tourism impacts on both the ecosystem and islanders. GeoJournal 89, 51 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-024-11053-2

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