Abstract:
Mangrove ecosystems play a vital role in coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate
change mitigation. However, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by environmental stressors
such as salinity fluctuations, rising temperatures, pollution, and anthropogenic disturbances. Traditional
monitoring methods rely heavily on manual field observations, which are time-consuming, costly, and
incapable of providing real-time ecosystem data. This study proposes the design and development of
an Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart monitoring system for real-time assessment of mangrove
ecosystem health in Sri Lanka. The proposed system integrates environmental sensors to measure key
parameters, including water temperature, salinity, pH level, dissolved oxygen, and water level. These
sensors are connected to a microcontroller unit (e.g., ESP32), which transmits data via wireless
communication to a cloud-based platform. A web-based dashboard is developed to visualize real-time
data and generate automated alerts when environmental parameters exceed ecologically safe thresholds.
The system aims to provide an early warning mechanism for ecosystem stress and support evidencebased decision-making for conservation authorities. The study highlights the potential of low-cost IoT
technologies in improving ecological monitoring efficiency and enhancing climate resilience in
mangrove ecosystems. The proposed framework can be scaled and adapted for other coastal regions
facing similar environmental challenges. Furthermore, the proposed system encourages integration with
community-based conservation initiatives by enabling data sharing with local stakeholders and
environmental authorities. By combining technological innovation with participatory governance, the
system enhances transparency, supports timely intervention, and promotes sustainable mangrove
management practices. This approach contributes not only to ecosystem protection but also to longterm coastal resilience and sustainable development goals.
