DETECTING FOREST CHANGE AND DISTURBANCE IN THE TOLEDO DISTRICT

摘要

This study utilized Landsat ETM+ imagery from 2009, 2011 and 2012 and new automated remote sensing technique to map and analyze not only forest change but most importantly forest disturbance that occur in the Toledo district from 2009-2012. The results of the forest disturbance and change analysis in the Toledo district show that the total forest cover in the period of 2009-2011 was 308710.38 ha of 425214.58 ha, or 74.94% forest cover. Non-forest cover was 21.96%, while change and disturbance were 3.08% and .02% respectively. For the period of 2011-2012 the results show that the total forest cover was 72.60%, non-forest was 24.43% and disturbance and change cover were .18% and 2.79% respectively. From the results generated by the spatial analysis it can be seen that protected areas are effective to safeguard against forest change but not so effective to safeguard against forest disturbance. The study also highlights the extensive forest change and disturbance that can occur when there is an increase in demand, internationally, for forest timber species from developing counties where monitoring and enforcement capacities are limited. The maps and statistics generated in this study are able to pinpoint the hot spots of where major forest change and disturbance occurred. The methodology presented in this study can be used by NGO's, CBO's and GOB's that are involved in forest monitoring and management to more effectively allocate resources to threatened forested areas.