Mapping fragile mountain watersheds using topography with remote sensing
2002
Uniyal, S.K. | Awasthi, A | Rawat, G.S. ( Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun (India)
The complexity and inaccessibility of Himalayan terrain inhibits intensive field surveys where remote sensing as a tool can help in exploring such ecologically important and inaccessible areas. The IRS-1C LISS-II data was used to study the forests of Bhagirathi valley in Uttaranchal. The maps were derived using hybrid approach (a combination of supervised and unsupervised classification). A total of ten classes were identified. A knowledge-based classification was used to delineate different conifers, low valley grasslands and scrub from the alpine regions. This approach uses integration of species distribution pattern and digital elevation data in GIS domain. Masking and recoding were found useful in removing the noise caused due to shadows and clouds. Finally a total of eight forests and four non-forest classes were segregated and mapped. Of the eight vegetation types broadleaved-conifer mixed dominated the area (24.6%) followed by broadleaved forest (10.5%) whereas the non-forest classes together accounted for 27.6% of the area. Distribution of vegetation in different altitudinal zones, aspects and slopes was also analyzed. It was found that in the lowest and highest altitudinal zones, the forest cover was less compared to middle elevation zone.
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