Tioman Island, located in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia (Figure 1) is gazetted under Marine Park Department supervision. The island (N2˚42'49.56" in latitudes and E104˚00'37.46" in longitudes) faced bimodal patterns of two monsoon periods; Northeast Monsoon from October to March and Southwest Monsoon from June to September [5] [6] . It was chosen as a case study in this research because it is a popular ecotourism destination due to its beautiful shore, diversity of its coral, and pristine mangrove. Generally, the mangrove forests were observed behind most estuaries especially in southern and western part of the island. Besides that, the mangrove forests were also observed at the bay such as in Teluk Bakau, Tulai Island. The composition and species was richly diverse in both Tioman and Tulai Island. Due to that reason, Tioman and Tulai Island have a potential to be promoted as ecotourism destination and attract numbers of visitors to the mangrove forest.

Landsat-7 ETM+ SLC off (Path: 125, Row: 58; Date: 16/6/2012) have been pre-processed according to standard methods of image classification [7] -[9] to produce supervised image of mangrove mapping (Figure 2). The ground truth data have been applied to these procedures in order to provide better classification and accuracies. By using Global Positioning System (GPS), a total of 46 sampling points were selected to identify as sampling stations for collecting signatures information. The signatures were used to find exact error between true coordinates on the ground and the marked coordinates during supervised classification [7] . Most dominant species and tree density on each station were estimated and recorded. Composition of mangrove species was estimated

visually [7] [10] . The classification of each mangrove tree species was based on following criteria; roots, bark, fruits, flowers, propagules, and leaf. Separability analysis and accuracy analysis have been conducted in order to evaluate reliabilities and validities of mapping. The Kappa coefficient expresses the proportionate reduction in error generated by a classification process compared with the error of a completely random classification. Based on unsupervised classification, 5 random class of computer generated have been produced. From PCA analysis, the spectral from these 5 classes found to be overlapped with each other based on spectral similarities. Thus, class grouping and merging have been conducted using species identification data from field sampling.

Twenty-three (23) mangrove species were found at 46 sampling stations across the Tioman and Tulai Island throughout ground trothing (Table 1). Sixteen (16) of these identified mangrove species were categorized as exclusive species and seven (7) as non-exclusive [11] [12] (Table 2). A new hybrid species (Rhizophora X lamarkii) has been found dominated in Tulai Island. It is combination between Rhizophora apiculata and Rhizophora stylosa.

Supervised classifications have been conducted using merged signatures from overlapping spectral properties into 3 major classification groups (Mangrove A, Mangrove B and Mangrove C) (Table 3). From supervised classification, total of 59.90 hectares mangrove covers have been identified in both islands, with 86.49% in Tioman Island (52.76 hectares) and 13.51% in Tulai Island (7.14 hectares) (Table 4). In Tioman Island (Figure 3), Mangrove A covers 59.91% (31.61 hectares) of total mangrove in the island, and Mangrove B and Mangrove C with 13.64% (7.2 hectares) and 26.43% (13.95 hectares). In Tulai Island (Figure 3), only Mangrove A and Mangrove B were observed. Mangrove A occupies 85.48% (6.0975 hectares) and Mangrove B covers 14.51% (1.035 hectares) of total mangroves area in the island. The summarized result of mangrove cover is shown in Table 3.

Tulai is a small island located at northwest coast of Tioman. It is also often referred to as Coral Island or Mangrove Bay by tourist boat operators that offer daily excursion to this island. Interesting about Tulai Island is about their coral and mangroves. The symbiotic relationship between coral and mangrove is clearly seen with crystal

^*E = Exclusive species, NE = Non-exclusive species, source: [11] [12] .

clear water around the bay, which are home to many fauna and flora. In Tulai Island, the mangrove area is quite diverse compare to other place in Tioman. The dominant species found are Rhizophora stylosa, Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora X lamarckii, Rhizophora apiculata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, sonneratia alba, Bruguiera sexangula, and Terminalia catappa. Besides, a new hybrid species, Rhizophora X lamarckii between Rhizophora apiculata and Rhizophora stylosa has been found dominated in Tulai Island.

At the mean time only mangrove area in Mangrove bay, Tulai Island was considered as the focal destination for tourists, mostly for diving, snorkeling, and eco-cruising. However, other mangrove areas in Tioman Island were also potential to be promoted as tourist destination area such as Kg. Juara, Kg. Genting, Kg. Paya and Kg. Nipah. Kg. Juara is the only developed village on the eastern side whereas the other 3 villages located on the western part of Tioman Island. The dominant species found throughout observation at four villages are Bruguiera Gymnorrhiza, Ceriops decandra, Heritiera globosa, Nypa fruticans and Xylocarpus Granatum. At these locations, the morphological of mangrove are different with mangrove species is well mixed at certain location. The species such as Lumnitzera rasemosa and Xylocarpus granatum that usually grow at low salinity can be observed at the front of tidal inlet. Hibiscus and Nypa which is associate mangrove also can be found mix with other species of true mangrove along the river.

The strategic ecotourism locations with accessibility in terms of facilities (hotel, resort, diving centre near to area), uniqueness of the biophysical scenery with low impact to environment are quiet important in order to attract tourist.

Installation of basic facilities such as information counter, walking trails, garbage boxes and toilets are considered necessary. Besides, the main information panel and site map should be provided on the mangrove sites to facilitate tourist’s access the mangroves areas. Furthermore, the actual site of these facilities and on-site information guides should be strategically located to keep the expected negative impact within the minimum limit of acceptable change and to maintain the biophysical stability of the sites.

The scientific and long term planning in developing non-intrusive facilities within mangrove forest should be undertaken. For instance, boardwalks constructed for visitor to access the mangrove area must not interfere the root system and stand. The concrete and metals used in building boardwalks can react with water and soil causing changes in pH. Consequently, this will affect the zonation of flora and wildlife species at mangrove forest [13] .

The activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, nature trail, research and education tour and tracking, photography, bird watching, and mangrove tree plantation or adoption attract more tourists to the mangrove forest while promoting the conservation of this natural setting.