Spatial technology in forest ecosystem development and management

Abstract

Spatial technology i.e. Remote Sensing (RS) & Geographical Information system (GIS) play important role in ecosystem management. Remote sensing or satellite data due to synoptic coverage, repetitive data gathering capabilities, spatial information, economically cheaper & sustainable technology, real time data collection & computer compatibility, coupled with GIS are extremely useful in monitoring, assessment, evaluation & management of total environment. Remote sensing data or satellite data are extremely useful for monitoring, assessment & evaluation, planning and feedback mechanism and management of all components of environment (various ecosystems, natural resources etc.). Satellites provide both spatial and temporal information needed to understand changes in resources for their distribution, qualitative & quantitative assessment. Multi-spectral satellite data having specific utilities for vegetation mapping, classification, quantification, spatial analysis, temporal change detection, detection of diseased & stressed vegetation etc in addition to pigmentation, physiological structure, and architectural organization and water contents are attributes, which are responsible for vegetation reflectance in multi-spectral data. Remote sensing/ Satellite images help environmentalist to observe (land cover, boundaries, threats, damage, topography etc.), monitor (change in forest cover, range condition, land use etc.), classify (into vegetation and land use categories, habitats etc.), measure (areas, distances, height/elevation etc.), detect (fires, resource use violations) etc. for natural resources management. Because reflected electromagnetic radiations are different for different substance or object therefore digital number (DN) value is different for different objects, this DN value is useful for object identification & image interpretation which is done through involvement of shape, size, tone, shadow, pattern, texture, size (location), association and resolution of satellite imagery/ data. Spatial information/ data & distribution pattern of each Parameter/ component of Natural Resources (NRs) & ecosystem is obtained through interpretation of satellite/ Remote sensing data with limited ground truth/ checks (field based). GIS can handle huge data sets (spatial & non-spatial data). All the data (spatial & non-spatial) are integrated in GIS and analysis & modeling in GIS using satellite and other data is done for monitoring, planning & management plans and finally for decision making & sustainable development and therefore in biodiversity, ecosystem and environment management.