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ARTICLE TYPE : RESEARCH ARTICLE

Published on :   17 Oct 2026, Volume - 2
Journal Title :   WebLog Journal of Environmental Sciences | WebLog J Environ Sci | WJETS
Journal ISSN:   3144-6108
Source URL:   weblog icon https://weblogoa.com/articles/wjets.2026.j1706
Permanent Identifier (DOI) :   doi icon https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23608369

Status of Mangrove Forest Coverage and Species Composition in Northern Langkawi Island, Malaysia

Mohamad Saupi Ismail 1 *
Khairul Naim Abd Aziz 2
Sharir Aizat Kamaruddin 2
Siti Syafiqah Hashim 2
Md. Nizam Ismail 1
Chee Kong Yap 3
Jamil Tajam 2
1Fisheries Research Institute, Department of Fisheries Malaysia, Batu Maung, 11960 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
2Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Arau, 02600 Perlis, Malaysia
3Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43400 Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

Mangrove ecosystems provide indispensable ecological and socio-economic services, yet their effective conservation requires rigorous spatial assessments. Conventional survey methodologies often prove inadequate for mapping extensive mangrove tracts, resulting in critical data gaps. This study evaluated the spatial extent and taxonomic composition of mangrove forests across four reserves in northern Langkawi Island, encompassing Kilim, Teluk Datai, Tanjung Rhu, and Kubang Badak, utilizing high-resolution remote sensing imagery and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Mangroves encompassed 1,669.52 ha, representing 14.5% of the total forest area within the northern zone. Coverage varied significantly across reserves, dominated by Tanjung Rhu (731.13 ha; 6.35%), followed by Kilim (500.10 ha; 4.34%), Kubang Badak (433.94 ha; 3.77%), and Teluk Datai (4.35 ha; 0.04%). Floral composition was predominantly composed of the family Rhizophoraceae, with Rhizophora apiculata identified as the ubiquitous dominant species across all sampling sites. These baseline findings establish critical spatial data to inform future monitoring, sustainable land-use management, and conservation strategies for Langkawi’s coastal wetlands.

Keywords: Mangrove Cover; Remote Sensing; GIS; Rhizophoraceae; Strait of Malacca

Citation

Ismail MS, Aziz KNA, Kamaruddin SA, Hashim SS, Ismail MN, Yap CK, et al. Status of Mangrove Forest Coverage and Species Composition in Northern Langkawi Island, Malaysia. WebLog J Environ Sci. wjets.2026.j1706. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23608369
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