Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health
ISSN: 3065-9078 | DOI: 10.64030/3065-9078
Jean Baptiste Kassi, Koffivi Gaglo and Brice Abaka Mobio
Mangrove ecosystems along the southern coast of Togo are undergoing rapid degradation under increasing anthropogenic and climatic pressures. This study investigates the spatio-temporal dynamics of mangrove cover in Lower-Togo between 2014 and 2024 by integrating remote sensing, field observations, and socio-economic surveys. Multi-temporal Sentinel-2 MSI imagery was processed to derive the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and to perform land-use classification using unsupervised (K-means) and supervised (Maximum Likelihood) approaches, enabling accurate discrimination of mangrove formations and surrounding land-use classes. The results indicate a significant reduction in mangrove extent, with surface area decreasing by 35.8%, from 1,150 ha in 2014 to 738 ha in 2024. This spatial regression is accompanied by a marked decline in ecological integrity, reflected by a 35% reduction in Rhizophora racemosa populations and an overall loss of nearly 40% of floristic diversity, suggesting progressive ecological homogenization. Concurrently, urban land cover expanded from 18% to 32%, while socio-economic surveys reveal a 50% decrease in income from artisanal fishing, highlighting the close coupling planning in West Africa. between ecosystem degradation and community vulnerability. These trends underscore the dominant role of direct human pressures including unplanned urban expansion, intensive harvesting of mangrove wood for domestic energy, uncontrolled effluent discharge, and disruption of lagoon–ocean hydrological connectivity in driving mangrove loss in Lower-Togo. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining remote sensing, GIS, and socio-economic data for long-term coastal ecosystem monitoring and provides a robust scientific basis to support sustainable mangrove management and integrated coastal zone.