<![CDATA[Mangrove ecosystems play a crucial role in maintaining coastal environmental stability, requiring accurate spatial information on their distribution, density, and canopy cover conditions. This study aims to assess the extent and spatial distribution of mangrove ecosystems, vegetation density levels, canopy cover conditions, and the relationship between Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values and mangrove canopy cover percentages in the coastal area of Kendari City. Mangrove distribution and density were analyzed using Sentinel-2A imagery through the NDVI approach, while canopy cover was measured using the Hemispherical Photography method processed with ImageJ software. Satellite imagery was obtained from the Copernicus platform, and a total of 33 sampling stations or plots were determined based on mangrove density classification criteria. The results indicate that the total mangrove area along the coast of Kendari City is approximately 275.67 hectares, distributed across eight sub-districts. NDVI analysis classified mangrove vegetation into three density categories: low density covering 30.69 ha, medium density covering 68.28 ha, and high density covering 176.70 ha. Mangrove canopy cover varied in accordance with vegetation density, ranging from 16.56% to a maximum of 88.08%. Correlation analysis revealed a very strong relationship between NDVI values and canopy cover percentage, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.93. These findings demonstrate that Sentinel-2A-derived NDVI is a reliable indicator for estimating mangrove canopy cover conditions in coastal environments. ABSTRAKEkosistem mangrove memiliki peran penting dalam menjaga keseimbangan ekologi pesisir, sehingga diperlukan informasi spasial yang akurat terkait sebaran, kerapatan, dan kondisi tutupan tajuknya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis luas dan distribusi ekosistem mangrove, tingkat kerapatan vegetasi, kondisi tutupan kanopi, serta hubungan antara nilai Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) dan persentase tutupan tajuk mangrove di wilayah pesisir Kota Kendari. Analisis kerapatan dan sebaran mangrove dilakukan menggunakan citra Sentinel-2A melalui pendekatan NDVI, sedangkan tutupan kanopi dianalisis menggunakan metode Hemispherical Photography yang diolah dengan perangkat lunak ImageJ. Data citra diperoleh dari laman Copernicus, kemudian ditentukan sebanyak 33 stasiun atau plot sampel berdasarkan klasifikasi tingkat kerapatan mangrove. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa total luasan mangrove di pesisir Kota Kendari mencapai sekitar 275,67 hektar yang tersebar di delapan kecamatan. Berdasarkan nilai NDVI, ekosistem mangrove diklasifikasikan ke dalam tiga tingkat kerapatan, yaitu kerapatan rendah seluas 30,69 ha, kerapatan sedang 68,28 ha, dan kerapatan tinggi 176,70 ha. Persentase tutupan tajuk mangrove bervariasi mengikuti tingkat kerapatan vegetasi, dengan nilai tertinggi sebesar 88,08% dan terendah 16,56%. Analisis korelasi menunjukkan hubungan yang sangat kuat antara nilai NDVI dan persentase tutupan kanopi dengan koefisien korelasi (r) sebesar 0,93. Temuan ini menegaskan bahwa NDVI citra Sentinel-2A dapat digunakan secara efektif untuk menduga kondisi tutupan kanopi mangrove di wilayah pesisir.]]>
