Preliminary Evaluation of Area Change and Degradation of Ecosystems in Nai Lagoon in Ninh Thuan Province

Abstract

     The degradation process in Nai lagoon was studied by analyses of the satellite images during 1975 to 2014 period and radioactive isotopes of ²¹⁰Pb and ²²⁶Ra and the use of CRS model. Our results showed that, there was a dramatical decrease in areas of mangrove ecosystem and wetland ecosystem and increase in areas for aquaculture, saltmaking pans and settlement. Along with these changes there was a strong sedimentation of the lagoon, the rate being higher than that of other lagoons in the central region. This great sedimentation is a consequence of the land use transformation and this is one of the causes of degradation in biodiversity and natural resources in Nai lagoon.