1 Evolutionary aspects of Itacorubi Mangrove identified by using of photo interpretation and field surveys. Authors: César Pedro Lopes de Oliveira 1 & Clarice Maria Neves Panitz 2 . Keywords – Coastal management; historical series; photo interpretation; mangrove. Abstract: Mangroves are among the most productive environments on earth. Ecosystem area evaluation and its historical changes is a subject to be analyzed on a global scale. In order to evaluate the state of conservation of the Itacorubi mangrove in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil and to point out its problems and possible solutions, thematic maps were prepared based on aerial photographs from 1994 and 2002. In 2000, the mangrove was declared a Municipal Park destined for tourism and environmental education. Positioned in a strategic location in the urban area of Florianópolis, the mangrove is among neighborhoods with high and growing rates of human occupation. Human activities in the watershed where the mangrove is located have caused a large amount of river solids transport. The sedimentary load discharged in the bay has caused a coast line progradation of approximately 2.2 m a year, adding a total of approximately 17.6 m during the period of eight years. This has caused the mangrove to grow by 1.5 ha during the period analyzed. The study indicated that the deposit of sedimentary load upon mangrove soil in the proximities of channelized stream as the main ecosystem tensor due to the burial of pneumatophores causing tree death or their weakening. In addition, material accumulation along the border s of artificial ditches serve as barriers to water flow impeding the entrance of saline water which is essential for mangrove maintenance. Impacts of secondary importance include building constructions upon the ecosystem and landfills to enlarge private lands. The study shows that the mangrove is not as impacted as previous studies have stated. We now know the problems, where they are located and their current dimensions. This allows us to supply decision makers with information needed for strategic planning as a basis f or the mangrove’s sustainability. 1 - Introduction and justification In Coastal Zones the tendency toward high demographic growth and the diversity of anthropogenic activities impose pressures on natural environments. In Brazil we often observe a lack of solid spatial information that allows planners to undertake their work. Through the analysis of vegetation patterns and mapping using aerial photographs we can obtain information from the past that, when compared to current information, can identify evolutionary trends, that must be recognized in environmental planning for the present and future (Fuller, 1983). According to Magnuson (1990), short term ecological studies can often lead to erroneous conclusions. The lack of a historical perspective can place such studies in a situation, which Magnuson calls as "invisible present." The absence of quantitative data about the vegetation in the Itacorubi mangrove and their state of conservation has created strategic restrictions in development and preservation planning. Data about landfill, deforestation, accretion and erosion produced in this study aim to collaborate towards achieving the sustainable development of the Itacorubi mangrove. For this reason, the Institute of Urban Planning of Florianópolis (IPUF) made possible the execution of this study.