<![CDATA[This study aims to analyze changes in mangrove cover area in Ponelo Kepulauan District, North Gorontalo Regency, Indonesia, over the 2022–2026 period using remote sensing technology. The data consisted of Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS satellite imagery acquired between 2022 and 2026 with less than 20% cloud cover, while Google Earth imagery was used as supporting data for visual validation. Image interpretation was conducted using an RGB 564 composite (Band 5, Band 6, and Band 4), visual digitization, and area calculation in ArcGIS 10.5. Validation was performed visually by comparing the shape, spatial distribution patterns, and locations of the digitized mangrove cover with vegetation features observed in Google Earth imagery, without field verification or quantitative accuracy assessment. The results showed fluctuations in the estimated mangrove cover area, with 125.49 ha in 2022, 138.18 ha in 2023, 129.24 ha in 2024, 133.53 ha in 2025, and 135.28 ha in 2026, representing a net increase of 9.79 ha (7.80%) between 2022 and 2026. The largest estimated mangrove cover area occurred in 2023, while the smallest was recorded in 2022. Visual validation indicated spatial pattern consistency between the digitized results and vegetation features observed in Google Earth imagery. Differences in area between years, particularly small changes, should be interpreted cautiously due to the limitations of the 30 m spatial resolution of the satellite imagery and digitization uncertainty. This study provides time-series estimates of changes in mangrove cover area that can serve as supporting data for monitoring and managing mangrove ecosystems in Ponelo Kepulauan District.]]>
