Current Research Paper Using satellite remotely sensed data and geographic information sys- tem to analyse mangrove forest distribution change in Akwa Ibom State from 1986-2003 ABSTRACT This paper utilised remotely sensed data and GIS to determining the change mangrove forests have undergone in Akwa Ibom from 1986 to 2003. The mangrove forest is known to be rich in both aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity as such a major source of rural life sustenance in the Akwa Ibom State as well as plays a vital role in ecosystems stabilization. Unfortunately, the Mangrove forest in recent times has been subjected to the effects of a growing population, economic and social pressures manifested in the form of rapid urbanization, agricultural land expansion and industrialization. At it stands, the mangrove forest is not under any known form of protection and or laws and strategies of biological resource conservation in Nigeria. Even in areas where they seem to exist, they have alienated the knowledge systems and practices of the local people. This paper therefore examines the change mangrove forests have undergone in the coastal line of Akwa Ibom State. Satellite images of Landsat TM 1986 and ETM 2003 of the study area were acquired from National Centre for Remote Sensing, Jos where change detection and analysis were done using Erdas Imagine 9.2 and ArcGis 9.2. The analysis of the images revealed that mangrove forests have change from 114103.8 ha representing 17.2% in 1986 to 107669.7ha (15.3%) in 2003. This change resulted in the loss of 96434.1 ha of mangrove forest due to the invasion of Nypa palm, activities of the oil companies, increasing rate of mangrove removal by timber logging, and local usage of mangroves. Thus, the study concludes by recommending that forest reserves should be established in Eastern Obolo where mangrove is still luxuriant with integrated sustainable forest management. Furthermore, policy makers and planners should enlighten the local people on the dangers of over exploitation and encourage them to strengthen these traditional resource management practices.  2015 Trade Science Inc. - INDIA INTRODUCTION The mangrove forests of Nigeria are the largest in Africa and are the third largest in the world after India and Indonesia (UNEP, 2007). According to Ukpong (2007), the term mangrove generally applies to an association of trees which live in wet, loose soils in tropical tide waters. Mangrove is normally restricted to those species of trees which possess either pneumtophores or viviparous fruits or both. The word mangrove is used when reference is made to individual kinds of trees, while the word mengal may be used with reference to the swamp forest com- munity. The mangrove forest is known to be rich in both aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity as such a major source of rural life sustenance not only Akwa Ibom State but many other regions in Niger Delta and elsewhere. Marcellinus Akaangee Hula 1 *, Dr I.J.Uwen 2 1 Department of Geography, Benue State University, P.M.B. 102119, Makurdi, (NIGERIA) 2 Department of Geography and Natural Resource Management University of Uyo, Uyo, (NIGERIA) E-mail: akamas3@yahoo.com Environmental Science An Indian Journal Volume 10 Issue 11 ESAIJ, 10(11), 2015 [414-422] Environmental Science ISSN : 0974 - 7451