Land cover change analysis of Maasin Watershed Forest Reserve, Iloilo, Philippines

Issue Date

4-2015

Abstract

The paper analyzed the land cover condition of Maasin Watershed Forest Reserve (MWFR) through remote sensing and time change analysis. Remote sensing, the measurement of object properties on Earth’s surface using data acquired from
aircraft and satellites, has revolutionized understanding of dynamic environment. Researchers use remote sensing satellites to provide repetitive coverage of the earth for studying landscape dynamics, phenological variations of vegetation and
change detection analysis. By using land satellite imageries generated from remote sensing, the extent of change in land cover of Maasin Watershed Forest Reserve from 1993, 2001, and 2009 was analyzed. Land cover in MWFR was classified into forest, brush, grass, and bare areas. Results of the analysis revealed that land cover of the said watershed has not been very stable from 1993 to 2009. Time change detection analysis through cross tabulation showed evident changes from one class to another over the years. The results of the study showed slight improvement in the state of the forest of MWFR as evidenced by a net gain of
10.19% in the forest cover for 16 years. Net increase in the total forest area was gained from the conversion of brush and grassland areas. The study also concluded that with limited primary and corroborating secondary data, remote sensing technology and time change analysis proved to be effective in presenting valuable information about the land cover conditions over time.

Source or Periodical Title

Ecosystem & Development Journal: A Journal on Tropical Forests and Natural Resources

ISSN

2012-3612

Volume

5

Issue

2

Page

12-22

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Physical Description

maps; figures; tables

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

WATERSHEDS; LAND COVER CHANGE; LAND USE; SATELLITE IMAGERY; PHILIPPINES

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